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STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS 
OF A LONG LIFE 




GEORGE WH1TEFIELD CLARK, D. 1). 



October 9, i Hg I 



Struggles and Triumphs 
of A 

Long Life 



personal J&xie ^>kttti]ts rnib ^uttfbtagrapljg 



BY 

GEORGE WHITEFIELD CLARK 



ILLUSTRATED 



PHILADELPHIA 

THE GRIFFITH & ROWLAND PRESS 



Copyright 1914 by 
G. FISH CLARK, M. D. 



Published May, 1914 



MAY &J5W 



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©CI.A371982 



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CONTENTS 

Chapter Page 

I. Ancestral Jottings i 

II. Family Reminiscences 7 

III. WlCKLIFFE AND I 12 

IV. Early School Days 17 

V. Early Religious Life 20 

VI. College Preparatory School Days 2j 

VII. Entering Amherst College 33 

VIII. First Year in College 37 

IX. Sophomore Year 43 

X. Last Two Years in College 49 

XI. First Year in the Rochester Theologi- 
cal Seminary 59 

XII. Last Year in the Theological Semi- 
nary 6y 

XIII. Finding a Pastorate and Marriage 74 

XIV. First Pastorate. 185 5- 1859. New Market 82 
XV. Pastorate at Elizabeth. 1859- 1868 .... 102 

XVI. My Commentary, Preparations for .... 114 

XVII. Ballston Pastorate. 1868- 1873 127 

XVIII. Work on Commentary — Close of Ball- 
ston Pastorate 134 

XIX. The Somerville Pastorate 141 

v 



VI CONTENTS 

Chapter Page 

XX. The Interim 153 

XXI. In the Missionary Work of the Ameri- 
can Baptist Publication Society 159 

xxii. hlghtstown and peddie institute 165 

XXIII. Missionary Work for the Publication 

Society Continued 171 

XXIV. Resuming Commentary Work 177 

XXV. Shadows 184 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Pagk 

George Whiteiield Clark, D. D. ...... .Frontispiece 

Views of Timothy Ball's House . 2 

The John B. Clark House 8 w 

Hemlock Cascade 14 "^ 

Ballston Spa Baptist Church 126 '"'" 

Mr*. G. W. Clark 144 1/ 

Dr. awe? Mrs. G. W. Clark. After Fifty Years 184 1/ 

r/z<? Sow awe? £/*£ Daughters of Doctor mid Mrs. Clark 188 k^ 



STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS 
OF A LONG LIFE 



ANCESTRAL JOTTINGS 

IN east New Jersey rises a beautiful range of hills 
called in olden times " The Watchung Mountain." 
The territory, several miles wide, extending from the 
Passaic River to the top of this first mountain, the first 
settlers of Newark purchased of the Indians. At its 
base and extending up its side, within the limits of what 
is now called South Orange, were the old homesteads of 
Timothy Ball and his son David, during the latter part 
of the eighteenth and the first part of the nineteenth 
century. 

The Balls were descended from Edward Ball, one of 
the first settlers of Newark, who came thither with that 
sturdy old Puritan, Rev. Abraham Pierson, from Bran- 
ford, Connecticut. The old church at Bran ford was prob- 
ably transported bodily with its pastor and deacons, its 
authorities and privileges. Its members were thoroughly 
imbued with the spirit of their pastor, and they in turn 
transmitted the same spirit to their descendants. 

There is a tradition in the Ball family that Edward 
Ball was related to Mary, the mother of Washington; 
his father perhaps being the grandfather of Mary Wash- 



2 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

ington. During the Revolutionary war, while Washing- 
ton had his troops stationed at Morristown, he frequently 
came to the top of the mountain to witness the move- 
ments of the British troops near Elizabethtown and Staten 
Island, which could be seen in the distance. On these 
occasions he used to visit Usal Ball, brother of David, 
who lived on the homestead of Timothy Ball, whom 
Washington recognized as distant relatives, calling them 
cousins. There he passed nights, and on more than one 
occasion, as a precaution, stabled his horse in their 
kitchen. 

David Ball, like his ancestors, was a pious man — a 
Puritan in character and life. His five sons and four 
daughters were reared on his farm, and received such 
religious and other instruction as was common in those 
days. While the father and sons were tilling the ground 
or clearing the forest, the mother and three daughters 
were attending to domestic concerns in the kitchen, at 
the spinning-wheel, or the loom. On the Sabbath all 
work was laid aside, and at an early hour the family 
prepared for church, which was three miles and a half 
distant. A common country cart at first, and afterward 
a plain farm wagon, drawn sometimes by oxen and some- 
times by horses, was their conveyance. On their return 
the remainder of the day was spent in reading the Bible, 
or some good book, and in catechising the younger mem- 
bers of the family. They were connected with the Pres- 
byterian church at North Orange, originally a Congre- 
gational church. 

Amid these scenes were spent the childhood and early 
years of Rebecca Ball, who afterward became the mother 
of the subject of these sketches. The youngest child of 
David Ball, born on Saturday, March 23, 1799, she en- 
joyed good health in infancy, and, accustomed to pure 
air and much outdoor exercise in childhood, she con- 




THE TIMOTHY BALL HOUSE, 1 743 
NORTH SIDE 




TIMOTHY BALL S HOUSE, 1/43 
SOUTH SIDE 



ANCESTRAL JOTTINGS 3 

firmed herself in possession of a good constitution. With 
auburn golden hair, dark eyes, and a countenance aglow 
with health and spirit, she was a pleasing picture. Cheer- 
ful, childlike, and playful, she was a favorite in her home 
and in the families of the neighborhood. She early 
showed a strong memory and a love for reading and study, 
and acquired an education, though limited, beyond that 
of her sisters. There was at that time a prejudice 
against the education of girls. Many parents were afraid 
lest too much learning should fill their daughters with 
" high notions," and unfit them for the duties of domestic 
life. As a consequence, the education of the girls was 
neglected, and if they were able to read the New Testa- 
ment with ease, it was generally considered complete. 

Under these disadvantages young Rebecca received her 
early training. At an early age she learned to read and 
write, and later acquired some knowledge of other ele- 
mentary branches. Through her love of reading her 
mind became stored with much religious and useful 
knowledge. 

Early conversions were not so much expected then as 
now, and a public profession of religion was more fre- 
quently made in mature years. Rebecca, however, from 
early childhood had many religious impressions. When 
she applied for membership in the church, the pastor 
and his elders at first regarded her conversion with sus- 
picion, but her Christian experience was so deep, and her 
perceptions of the way of salvation so clear, that she 
was finally admitted. It was said that she was the 
youngest member that had ever been received into that 
church. She quickly showed activity in her Christian life. 
About that time the subject of missions was being first 
agitated in our country, and she became deeply interested, 
an interest which continued until the end of her life. 
When Sunday-schools were started, she became active 



4 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

in the work and in the distribution of tracts. Many, long 
after she had passed away, remembered her active service 
for Christ and recounted her faithfulness as a Christian. 

On an undulating plain seven miles west of Elizabeth- 
town and eleven miles southwest of Newark was situated 
the village of Westneld. This was an outer settlement of 
Elizabethtown, begun in 1720. About 1730 a log Pres- 
byterian church was erected, and a little later a more sub- 
stantial edifice. During the latter part of the eighteenth 
century there were about twenty dwellings, a store, and a 
blacksmith shop. Near the church eastward was the 
home of Daniel Baker, a tanner, and a little farther 
south of the church lived Jesse Clark, a farmer, both of 
whom were great-grandparents of the subject of these 
sketches. 

Here in these two homes was spent the childhood of 
two children, Phebe Baker and Edward Clark, who, at 
the close of the Revolutionary struggle, became husband 
and wife. Their youthful days were spent amid the 
exciting times connected with the beginning of the war 
for our country's independence. Their young hearts 
glowed with patriotism, and sided strongly with the colon- 
ists. Both contributed their part — one as a soldier on the 
field ; the other as a helper, manager, and guard at home. 

Most of the men of Westneld served at one time or 
another in the Continental army, with the State troops, 
or as militia, among whom were Jesse Clark and his 
son Edward. The " redcoats," as the British and Hessian 
troops were called, made foraging expeditions through 
that region, plundering houses and barns, carrying away 
fowls, beasts, and provisions. But while partially success- 
ful, the brave militia proved more than a match for them, 
meeting them now in the open field and now in ambush. 

During the war, Edward Clark served honorably in 
Captain Scudder's company, second Essex County regi- 



ANCESTRAL JOTTINGS 5 

ment, and also in the Continental army, and after the war 
was major of State troops. He was of the family of 
Abraham Clark, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence, and was descended from Richard Clark, 
who came from Long Island and settled at Elizabethtown 
about the year 1678. When peace returned, he was 
married to Phebe Baker. Their married life of about 
twenty years was spent in Westfield, Rahway, and Eliza- 
bethtown. Children were born to them, and the usual 
joys and sorrows fell to their lot. 

Mr. Clark struggled hard to raise and support a family 
and amass something for declining years. But his un- 
timely death, in 1803, left his widow with a large family, 
and only four hundred dollars after settling up his estate. 
She returned to Westfield, and purchased a property a 
mile northeast of the village, on which was a small one- 
story house and barn. Here she managed to keep a cow 
and pig and fowls, and with the aid of her oldest son, 
Dayton, she cultivated a garden. 

Housework, the spinning-wheel, making and mending 
garments, and running on errands kept all busy. The 
oldest daughter, Charity, learned dressmaking, and the 
next, Polly, was a general helper at home and among the 
neighbors, and in due time married Abner Stites, of 
Scotch Plains. Phebe, a younger sister, a beautiful girl 
and a general favorite, a dependence to her mother, grew 
into lovely womanhood, and became the wife of Ephraim 
Clark, who carried on the tanning business a mile away. 
She became the mother of four children, three sons and a 
daughter, among whom was the late Mr. James Clark, of 
Plainfield. As long as widow Phebe Clark lived, Ephraim 
Clark was to her as an own son, a friend in need and in 
deed. Her neighbors and many in the church were in- 
terested and helpful in her struggles of rearing a large 
family. After some years, a pension of sixty dollars a 



O STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

year was obtained for her on account of the services of 
her husband, Edward Clark, in the war of revolution. 

Upon the death of her husband, she at once assumed 
the duties of the religious head of her family. Night and 
morning she led in family devotion, and at every meal she 
invoked God's blessing. She had the children read the 
Bible, and taught them the catechism. On Sabbath all 
needless work was laid aside, church was attended morn- 
ing and afternoon, and the rest of the day was sacredly 
observed. By her Christian example she taught the chil- 
dren how to live. 

Six of her eight children reached manhood and woman- 
hood, filling well their respective places in life, while she 
continued many years in her humble home with her daugh- 
ter Charity, a partial invalid, dependent on her. Almost 
to the last she retained youthful vigor, and at the advanced 
age of ninety-five she passed away, June 29, 1855, re ~ 
spected and beloved, and with the general verdict that 
she had not lived in vain. 



II 

FAMILY REMINISCENCES 

ONE morning the humble home of widow Phebe Clark 
was all astir. The twins, Lewis and John, now 
about eight years old, must bid adieu to mother and home 
at Westfield, and go to another in Orange, twelve miles 
away. Their mother had found herself unable to care 
for them as she wished. So the next best thing was 
to bind them out in good families to do chores and 
errands for their keep and one quarter of schooling each 
year. 

At fourteen they were again bound out to learn the 
shoemaker's trade. They were now thrown into the 
company of irreligious, profane, and drunken boys and 
men. Fortified through their early training, remember- 
ing the instructions, the pious life, and prayers of their 
mother, they resisted temptations, and on the Sabbath 
regularly attended the Presbyterian church, where Rev. 
Asa Hillyer was pastor. John was especially industrious, 
and by overwork was able to buy out his time, a year 
at least, before he became of age. 

During these years at Orange, John met Rebecca Ball 
at church, and especially in the hour between morning 
and afternoon service. Acquaintance grew into attach- 
ment and love; and they were married October 7, 1819. 
She, devotedly pious, and he, moral and upright, began 
a happy married life, which was to continue nineteen 
years. 

For two years they lived at Westfield, when they 
returned and purchased a small place near South Orange, 

7 



8 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

between the homesteads of Mrs. Clark's grandfather, 
Timothy Ball, and her father, David Ball. In a few- 
years, by careful economy, they paid for their place, and 
then a new house was erected. In building this a little 
incident occurred, which illustrates the exactness and 
careful planning of Mr. Clark. 

In 1828 he bargained with Mr. Amos Harrison in a 
written contract to build his house at nine hundred and 
ninety-nine dollars and ninety-nine cents. The house 
was well built and completed according to contract, and 
it is said that the cost was exactly the sum named. 

The religious crisis of Mr. Clark's life occurred in 
1 83 1. A Presbyterian church was organized at South 
Orange from the First Church of Orange, under the 
leadership of Rev. Cyrus Gildersleeve. It was a year 
of revivals. A spiritual refreshing visited South Orange, 
and reached the Clark home. Dayton, a boy of eleven 
years, the oldest of the children, was one of the con- 
verts. He became very anxious for his father, and went 
up to his room for prayer. The father, hearing a voice, 
went up quietly to the door, and heard his little boy 
praying earnestly for his father's conversion. Convicted 
of the sin of neglect and unbelief, he resolved to attend 
at once to his soul's salvation. That evening found him 
in the inquiry meeting. There he resolved to be the 
Lord's. 

Returning home, he told the joyful news to his wife, 
who for years had been praying for him. Taking the 
Bible in her hands, she said : " John, you have promised 
to be the Lord's. Begin at once to read and pray in the 
family." " I cannot," he exclaimed. " You can, you 
must," she replied. " The Lord will help you. I will 
read a chapter, and then you pray." She read, and then 
both bowed down in prayer. And so the family altar 
was erected, and the Christian life begun. As long as 






FAMILY REMINISCENCES 9 

the family remained together, both morning and evening 
witnessed Bible reading and prayer. The Bible now be- 
came a daily companion. Mr. Clark so regulated and 
systematized his reading that for sixty years the entire 
Bible was read through at least once a year. There are 
specialists in science, language, philosophy, theology, and 
in hundreds of subjects. Mr. Clark was a specialist in 
the English Bible. With a deep religious experience and 
a spiritual insight, he generally discovered what was the 
mind of Christ. And who shall say that his conclusions 
were not upon the whole as reliable as those attained 
with more learning, but with a less devout spirit. 

In 183 1 South Orange was a little village of eight 
dwellings and three public buildings; namely, a store, a 
hotel, and a combined academy and church. The first 
story of the latter was used for the public school, the 
second story for the services of the church. The vil- 
lage and vicinity was composed mainly of farmers, most 
of whom were only able by the hardest toil, the severest 
economy and contrivance to secure a moderate com- 
petence for life's needs. The manufacturing shoemaker 
and the cidermaker were the only persons who were 
looked up to as possessing an extra dollar beyond the 
next want. The farmer bartered his smaller products 
with his storekeeper, his blacksmith, and his laborer; 
his minister received as an equivalent for money the best 
products of his forest, barn, granary, and cellar; while 
the corn, hay, or wheat paid the interest, taxes, and 
necessary expenses incident to the business. 

South Orange was by no means a noted locality. 
Neighboring places had importance commercial, political, 
historical. But South Orange was rich at least in good 
men and women. A more moral and religious com- 
munity could not easily be found. Everybody was a 
churchgoer, and the Sabbath was rigidly observed. Here 



10 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

in the little Presbyterian church John and Rebecca Clark 
found their religious home. Here they began the train- 
ing of their children in the nurture and admonition of 
the Lord. 

A joyous day was February 15, 1831, in the Clark 
home. A little one was born, a boy of a mother's many 
prayers; and she named him George Whitefield. The 
name of the great preacher was a favorite one in her 
family. She had heard her parents and grandparents 
speak of his repeated visits to this country, and how they 
had been greatly moved and blessed by his preaching. 
Nearly three years before this, an older brother had 
come. The mother said that she did not know that there 
was anything in names, but, hoping that something might 
come out of it, she called the newcomer Wicklifle Martin, 
from the two great reformers, Wicklifle and Martin 
Luther. It was her prayer that these two boys might 
prove worthy of the names they bore. When George was 
six years old, she purchased and gave to him the 
memoirs, writings, and sermons of George Whitefield 
in a single volume, charging him to read it as he grew 
up, which he was not slow to do. 

But sad changes were coming into the Clark home. 
Mrs. Clark's health gave way, and for several months the 
family was quite broken up. Dayton, the oldest, went to 
Ohio to live with his uncles. Wicklifle and George for 
a time were in charge of their aunts, Esther and Lydia 
Ball, in Orange. With returning health, the father, 
mother, and the two boys made up the home. Two years 
later was born Theodore, the youngest, who died when 
a year old. And not long after he was followed by the 
mother, who left her children a legacy of pious example 
and Christian instruction. If she had lived in the days 
of modern Sunday-school methods, she would have made 
a model primary-class teacher. As it was, she taught her 



FAMILY REMINISCENCES II 

boys the elementary truths of religion, and made them 
familiar with the leading characters of the Old and 
New Testament. Whatever knowledge they afterward 
attained, the foundation was laid by their mother. 

It was Sunday, the middle of August, 1838, one of 
the finest of summer days. Mrs. Rebecca Clark was 
nearing her end. Dropsy had set in, and already the 
water was rising to her heart. Her mind was clear, and 
her hope in the Saviour as bright as the morning of 
that lovely day. Conscious that but a few hours of her 
earthly life remained, she called for the two boys, Wick- 
liffe and George, to bid them farewell. She had taught 
them to go regularly to church, and she could not make an 
exception of it now, for she felt their first duty was to 
God. The two boys entered the sick-chamber and ap- 
proached the bedside. She told them that she was about 
to leave them, that they would have no mother now, that 
they must be good children and serve the Lord ; and she 
committed them to her heavenly Father's care. " It is 
Sunday morning," she said ; " I wish you to go to church. 
Go down, and get ready ; " and then she bade them good- 
bye. As they were passing out the door, she gave them 
a final look and said : " I commit you, dear children, into 
the hands of the Lord. He will take care of you." The 
boys got ready, and walked hand in hand to meeting in 
the beautiful sunshine, little realizing what a loss they 
were sustaining. When they returned in the afternoon, 
the spirit of the mother had fled, and the children were 
left to a stricken father's care. The mother's words were 
quite prophetic. The two boys alone of six children lived 
into middle and advanced life, both serving the Lord, 
who has truly been with them. 

"Our Mother! 
She taught us how to live; she showed us how to die." 



Ill 

WICKLIFFE AND I 

NO two brothers could think more of each other 
than did Wickliffe and I. He, the older by three 
years, healthy, strong, full of life and boyish pranks; I, 
somewhat smaller, less strong, subject to children's ail- 
ments, rather thoughtful, but ever ready for a good time. 
He, a natural leader of the boys, with firm and quick 
movement; I, nervous in action, fleet in running, an 
assistant and helper. He was my protector. With him, I 
always felt safe from injury and insult. 

Wickliffe was sent to school when three years old, " to 
keep him out of mischief." I, being of a more quiet 
turn of mind, was wisely permitted to wait till I was 
five. Wickliffe and I were always together, at home, at 
school, at church, at work, and at play. The enjoyment 
of neither was complete without the other. In those 
childhood days how we planned for future life! It 
never occurred to us that we would ever be widely 
separated. Farms, horses, business, all were talked over, 
and looked forward to. My own ardor was, however, 
cooled one day by a slight but painful kick from a colt 
with which we were playing. 

After mother passed away, Aunt Esther Ball had 
charge of the home, and took excellent care of us. But 
in less than two years the Lord called her home. Soon 
after, our father married Miss Nancy Reeve, who proved 
to be a good and faithful mother. Wickliffe and I were 
attending school at South Orange. We made some prog- 
ress in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Childish play 
12 



WICKLIFFE AND I 1 3 

gave way to boyish sport. The village green was a 
favorite spot. Running, rolling, tumbling, simple plays, 
and baseball, as it was then played, were the principal 
attractions. Saturdays and vacations hold a large place in 
our memories, well filled with some work, but more play. 

Winter days with their snow and ice aroused the 
greatest enthusiasm. Our house stood at the foot of 
the mountain on the ridge road, just where the lane went 
up half a mile to near the top. Snow and sometimes 
ice made this a splendid place for coasting. We could 
ride the whole distance from the top to the bottom. 
Here the boys from the neighborhood gathered with their 
sleds. 

But when Sunday came, all sports were laid aside. 
Nothing that indicated play, not even whistling and 
laughter, was to be thought of. The day was holy 
to the Lord. The command was enforced, " Ye shall 
keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary." We 
arose early in the morning, for father did not believe 
in sleeping away the Lord's time. We then could spend 
a morning hour in reading the Bible, both in the Old and 
New Testament, and by course; for father taught us to 
read the Bible through from beginning to end. We also 
had time to wash and put on our clean Sunday clothes. 
Then we walked with father to meeting. In the inter- 
mission at noon we attended Sunday-school; and after 
the afternoon service we returned home. The rest of 
the day and evening was spent in talking about the ser- 
mons, repeating the texts, reading the Bible. Father 
would read from some one of the few books that con- 
stituted our small family library, such as Bunyan's " Pil- 
grim's Progress," Whitefield's life and sermons, Hervey's 
" Meditations," or daily readings of a book that was 
called, if I remember aright, the " Poor Man's Daily 
Portion." The day as thus observed was not a tedious 



14 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

day. There was a pleasing variety and instruction in 
it. Its charm has followed us all our lives. 

As we advanced into youth music engaged our atten- 
tion. An evening singing-school was started for us boys 
by one of our older comrades, Moses A. Peck. For 
several months Wickliffe and I attended weekly, and 
we were introduced into the rudiments of music. It was 
there and then that I discovered that I could sing. Soon 
after, Amzi D. Freaman, a graduate of Princeton and a 
student at Union Theological Seminary, New York, taught 
a weekly singing-school, which we attended. Then some 
of the boys began to play on musical instruments. One 
or more played the flute, two on the violin, Wickliffe 
played on the bass viol at musical gatherings and in the 
church choir. Sometimes I played the violin. We all 
sang. A company of half a dozen met at one another's 
houses an evening a week. 

About this time a debating society was started among 
the boys of fifteen years and upward. It was a great 
inspiration, and very important in educative influence. 
It set us thinking, reading, and investigating, and accus- 
tomed us to public speaking. Questions of the day and 
topics of interest in Church and State were discussed; 
we were trained in independence of thought and to 
demand not mere assertion, but evidence and truth. We 
met weekly, and some leading man of the community 
was requested to preside as judge, and to declare which 
side had produced the greater weight of argument. Our 
meetings became very popular, and were well attended 
by persons who were not members, especially by young 
ladies. Wickliffe and I were often on opposite sides. 
How hard we worked in preparation for arguments, and 
how we waxed warm in presenting them! One might 
have thought that some crisis in life was hanging on 
the decision. 



r 2 




WICKLIFFE AND I 1 5 

So many gatherings for music and debate made a large 
demand on our evenings, and the return of the boys to 
their homes was often considered rather late in our 
quiet village and country community. Doubtless we did 
sometimes err in this respect, but the profit we received 
and the influence upon our after-life more than compen- 
sated for any loss sustained. When Wickliffe and I were 
about to leave home, one of the good mothers remarked : 
" Now since the Clark boys are leaving, there will be 
no more of those weekly meetings of the boys, and my 
son will be home evenings." I think she put too much 
importance on the Clark boys, for they were carrying out 
the wishes of others as well as their own; yet her words 
were quite prophetic, for these gatherings did largely 
cease after we had gone. 

As we grew older we became fond of gunning, at least 
Wickliffe did. We first used an old flint-lock shotgun, 
afterward a percussion-cap gun. We had but one gun 
between us; Wickliffe did most of the shooting; and I 
picked up the game. Often on a spring morning we 
would arise before light, and go up to a notch in the 
top of the mountain back of our house. There we would 
sit and await the flocks of wild ducks as they flew over 
us from the Newark Bay westward to the Passaic River. 
At the first dawning of the day, their quacking an- 
nounced their approach, and when they were just above 
us, perhaps one hundred and fifty feet, Wickliffe would 
shoot into the flock, and I would hasten to get the falling 
duck or ducks; how proudly we went home with our 
booty, and, when they were cooked, never did meat taste 
better or sweeter. 

The top of the mountain was a favorite place with us 
in those days. It had its historical associations. Here 
Washington sometimes had come to watch the movements 
of the British troops. For two or three miles along the 



1 6 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

mountaintop we loved to walk and gaze, and gaze again, 
upon a beautiful panorama of nature spread out before 
us. At our feet lay Orange on the north and South 
Orange on the south; in front was Newark Bay and 
Staten Island; and far away, a little to the northeast, 
lay New York, and a little to the southeast was Elizabeth- 
town. It was a great treat to us, occasionally, when, 
with a good spy-glass, we could bring these objects near 
to us, and see people walking or at work, the town clock 
on the church steeple at Orange or at Elizabethtown, 
and the schooners sailing upon the bay. 

Thus youth passed till Wickliffe was twenty-one and 
I eighteen, and then our paths of life parted. In August, 
1849, I went to college, and two months later he went 
West to seek his fortune. Life has been very different 
from what we planned. Qur boyish dreams have not 
been realized, our way has been very rugged at times, 
we have not met often since; he has lived mostly in 
Iowa, and I mostly in New Jersey. Both of us married 
excellent wives, and both have had five children. 
Shadows have fallen upon our pathways, and death has 
entered our homes; but God has been good to us, and 
as our sun descends toward its setting, the western 
horizon is rich with blessings. Wickliffe's sun went 
down June 24, 1905, in the seventy-eighth year of his 
age. In the Library of Parson's College, Fairfield, Iowa, 
may be found The Wickliffe F. Clark Memorial Library 
of one hundred volumes. 



IV 

EARLY SCHOOL DAYS 

THE common school at the academy at South Orange 
was regarded as one of the best of its kind in coun- 
try districts. It lacked classification, and was in no way 
graded. There was not much uniformity of text-books. 
Such books as the parents happened to have were gen- 
erally used. There were three or four arithmetics, and 
almost as many geographies used in the school. There 
was some good teaching, especially where classes were 
formed. The teachers were generally from Massachu- 
setts, and they tried to introduce the methods prevalent 
there. There was no school fund and no free schools; 
the parents paid for the tuition of their children. At the 
end of each quarter the teacher sent out his bills and 
collected two dollars for each pupil. 

To this school George W. Clark, the writer of this 
sketch, was sent when a little past five years of age. 
A Mr. Ripley, a bright young man, and afterward a 
capable student at Princeton, was the teacher. George 
began at the lowest round, with the alphabet, and he 
made reasonable progress, continuing in this school for 
six years, under several teachers. 

At eight years of age he could read the Bible with ease. 
He then began to learn how to write. His aunt, Esther 
Ball, had a New Testament, which she prized highly, 
containing useful tables of Scripture names, their pro- 
nunciation and meanings, chronology, and references to 
quotations from the Old Testament. This she offered to 
give to George if he would read it through, which he did 

17 



l8 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

in a few months. After this she promised him her 
octavo Bible, containing the Apocrypha, if he would 
read through the Old Testament. This he did in his ninth 
year, completing it a few months before her death in 
the spring of 1840. These two books he has always 
kept in remembrance of her, and as mementos of child- 
hood days. In her will she left him twenty dollars for 
his schooling, which paid his tuition for the next two 
years. 

When nine years of age, he began the study of arith- 
metic. This became his favorite study, and he did 
little else. He had already learned the multiplication 
table by rote, and was soon the master of addition and 
subtraction. Fortunately, Mr. Hurd, his teacher, put 
him into Colburn's " Mental Arithmetic " ; this he went 
through twice, and knew almost by heart by the time he 
was ten years old. Thus, written arithmetic became an 
easy task. In a few months he found himself in a class 
of boys and girls eight or ten years older than himself. 
Years after, one of these boys spoke of his mortification 
when one day he was stuck by an example in propor- 
tion, and the teacher called upon little George to do it on 
the blackboard and explain it. George, however, felt no 
pride in the matter; he was enthusiastic in arithmetic, 
and thought little about what others were doing, and so he 
was greatly surprised one day to hear that his teacher 
had told his father that he was the best mathematician in 
school. Having gone twice through Smith's " Arith- 
metic," he was put into Adam's " Arithmetic," which was 
regarded as harder than Smith's. This was completed, 
and soon after one or two other arithmetics. 

It now seemed to George that he had nothing more 
to do. He probably had never heard of algebra, and he 
was entirely without a guide in his studies. It is strange 
that his teacher did not put him into geography and 



EARLY SCHOOL DAYS 1 9 

United States history, or that he did not suggest gram- 
mar or bookkeeping. He was now eleven years old, 
and was tired of school. He obtained his father's per- 
mission to stay at home and work, and for eighteen 
months fitted uppers in a shoemaker's shop. 

But these months were not entirely fruitless in mental 
improvement. The work was not hard, and it did not 
occupy more than six hours a day; so George took to 
reading and did some writing. He read Hale's " United 
States History " and a descriptive geography and some 
other books which he found lying about the house, and 
familiarized himself with an atlas about ten years old, 
and read the Bible through at least once. He was a very 
poor speller. An older comrade, who had been a class- 
mate in arithmetic, seeing a letter he had written, called 
his attention to his deficiency, and advised him to use 
a dictionary. He got a small one, and for years never 
wrote without having it near at hand. Thus in time he 
became a good speller and quite rapid as a proof-reader. 

During these years his father was accustomed to read 
aloud an hour each evening to his family. George was 
interested, and remembered some of the stories in the 
" Repository Tales of Hannah More," and some things 
from the lives of George Whitefield and Jonathan Ed- 
wards. The " Sentinel of Freedom," a Newark weekly, 
which came to the house, he read with great interest; 
so he began to be acquainted with current affairs, and 
with what was occurring outside of his native town. A 
peculiar, and in some respects a good, foundation was 
being laid for future acquirements and work. 



EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE 

THE Bible above all others was the book of the 
family. Father was accustomed to read aloud 
Whitefield's sermons, Marsh's " Ecclesiastical History,'* 
and President Edwards' " History of Redemption." The 
last book exerted a great influence on my early religious 
thinking. 

My parents were members of the Presbyterian church 
at South Orange. Some time during my infancy* I was 
christened by the pastor. I was told that I was a child 
of the covenant, which begot in me spiritual pride. I 
felt that somehow I was better than those who had not 
received the rite. My father, however, changed his 
views afterward, and united with a little Baptist church 
near-by in Jefferson Village, now Maplewood. But he 
found the church so pervaded with antinomianism that 
he felt that he could not bring up his children under its 
influence. So he left the church, and again attended the 
Presbyterian church at South Orange. My stepmother 
also was a Presbyterian. Thus in the family, the church, 
and Sunday-school I was brought under Presbyterian 
training. 

My Aunt Lydia Ball was an excellent Sunday-school 
teacher, and with my mother was much interested in 
foreign missions. The wonderful work in the Sandwich 
Islands, " a nation born in a day," was a familiar topic 
of conversation. And later, the successful mission among 
the Armenians of Turkey engaged our attention. Partly 
as a fruit of this, several years after, I prepared a 

20 



EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE 21 

paper on " The Evangelical Armenians of Turkey, the 
Reformers of the East," which was published in the 
" Christian Review " of January, 1859. Aunt Esther 
Ball, as well as the rest of the family, was fond of 
religious and theological discussion. It was a common 
remark of hers, in a day when the doctrines of pre- 
destination, election, and limited atonement, were the 
staple of nearly all preaching, that they would never 
make her believe that the kingdom of God was not to 
outnumber greatly the kingdom of the devil. 

In those days, 1835 and onward, the differences be- 
tween the Old and New School Presbyterians were being 
discussed. The church at South Orange advocated the 
New School views, and they were strongly favored in 
our family. Much was said about " the imputed right- 
eousness of Christ," the new birth, repentance, faith and 
works, election, freedom of the will, and individual re- 
sponsibility. In this way I became familiar with theo- 
logical terms, though I understood them but partially. I 
was thus prepared, however, to investigate these doc- 
trines later with greater interest and more intelligently. 

It is often asked, " When does a child arrive at the 
age of accountability ? " Doubtless the time varies ac- 
cording to mental and spiritual development. In my own 
case, I think it occurred when seven years of age. About 
that time I recall a change of feeling in regard to my 
obligations to God and my fellows. Personal religion 
began to make its claims upon my heart and conscience 
when I was eight years old. 

When I was eleven years old, two things led me 
to special thoughtfulness. First, my mother had told 
me that my oldest brother, Dayton, was converted when 
he was eleven years old. I seemed to hear her say, " It 
is time that you became a Christian." Secondly, the 
faithful and evangelical preaching of Rev. Joseph Vance, 



22 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

of South Orange, reached my heart and awakened my 
conscience. The Holy Spirit convinced me of sin, and 
showed me my need of a Saviour. 

How I longed to be a Christian! But I shrank from 
having others know it. Besides, I wished my older 
brother, Wicklifle, who was my leader in other things, 
to be my leader in this. Often as we sat together in 
meeting, listening to the pungent appeals of the pastor, 
I would watch my brother's countenance to see if he 
felt as I did. But he remained unmoved. I found that 
if I would serve the Lord I must leave my brother 
behind. 

There was considerable interest at that time in the 
church. The pastor had an inquiry meeting on Mon- 
day evenings. A number of young people, who were 
a few years older than I, attended and professed conver- 
sion — I wished to go. But no one thought of me; no 
one asked me to go. Under a great burden of feeling, 
I made an attempt one evening. I went to the village, to 
the gate, to the door, trembling all the time. Just as 
I was about to ring the door-bell, my heart failed me, 
and I made an ignominious retreat. 

Later I sought the company of Christians, hoping for 
religious and personal conversation. But no one, not 
even my father, who conversed much on religious sub- 
jects, suspected my anxiety for my soul. I called on 
some of the young people who had recently professed 
religion, even talking on religious matters, hoping for 
a word about my personal salvation. But no one had 
a word for me. Literally, it seemed that no one cared 
for my soul. 

My twelfth birthday came. Twelve years old and not 
a Christian! With what sadness I looked over the year 
just passed. I felt myself a condemned and guilty sinner 
before God. I was well-nigh filled with despair. What 



EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE 23 

should I do? I felt that the day must not pass without 
deciding for Christ. To whom should I tell my feel- 
ings, but to my father? I watched the sun. I felt I 
must do it before the day was gone. How hard the task ! 
The interest of life both here and hereafter seemed cen- 
tered in the last afternoon hour. 

It was the crisis of an immortal soul. While the 
shadows were lengthening, with trembling heart, I entered 
the shop where my father was alone at work. Taking a 
seat, I said, " Father, what must a person do to be a 
Christian ? " At first he seemed a little surprised, but he 
at once took in the situation, and talked with me tenderly. 
Among other things, he said: " You must go like the 
publican, praying, ' God be merciful to me a sinner.' " 
I had been before taught that I must go in Christ's name. 
So I sought God in earnest prayer. The burden passed 
away. But faith was feeble, and soon after I was 
walking along the road toward South Orange, greatly 
dissatisfied with myself, when I came to some clusters 
of bushes by the wayside. I entered within them, and 
upon my knees, with the heavens over me, I besought 
God's mercy and gave myself up to him to be his for- 
ever. 

The Bible was now to me the book above all others, 
and most of. my spare time was spent in reading it. 
Its words were clothed with new meaning. I began 
writing my thoughts on different passages, until they 
rilled quite a volume of manuscript. I delighted to be 
in the company of Christians, and found it easy to talk 
with them. My father asked me to take part in the 
evening family prayer, and thus I began to engage in 
public prayer. 

At my conversion I had no other thought than that of 
uniting with the Presbyterian church at South Orange. 
But the pastor and an elder thought as I was young, that 



24 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

it was best for me to wait awhile before making a public 
confession. They advised me to read the New Testa- 
ment, and to be in the habit of secret prayer. This I 
was already doing. It was not long before I became dis- 
satisfied with the baptism I had received in my infancy. 
I saw the New Testament taught that faith came before 
baptism, and I could not see how my parents could 
believe for me. Still I hoped in some way to join the 
church of my earliest and tenderest associations, where 
most of my friends and associates belonged, and where 
I attended meeting and Sunday-school. 

Probably I would not have united with any church, 
had it not been for several days of evangelistic meetings, 
held about that time in the Baptist church in Jefferson 
Village, by Rev. Isaac M. Church, of Northfield, and 
Rev. William Leach, of Lyons Farms. These meetings 
I attended. In them I came to understand more clearly 
the principles and practices of Baptists, and approved 
them. 

Accordingly on Saturday the sixth of May, 1843, I 
walked four miles to the Northfield Baptist Church, re- 
lated my Christian experience at the covenant meeting, 
and was accepted for baptism. On the following day, 
Sunday, May seventh, I was baptized by Rev. Isaac M. 
Church in Canoe Brook, about a quarter of a mile from 
the meeting-house. 

The place of my baptism was a beautiful spot, shaded 
by large trees where, in a little turn of the stream, the 
water gathered and formed a natural baptistery. Here 
for two generations young believers had followed their 
Lord, and had been buried with him in baptism. That 
was a memorable day in my life, a day of both public and 
private consecration to Christ my Saviour. 

For six years, till I went to college, I was accustomed 
to walk the four miles to church at Northfield every 



EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE 2$ 

other Sunday. The intervening Sunday I attended the 
Presbyterian church at South Orange, where I also at- 
tended a weekly prayer-meeting. I was also in the Sun- 
day-school in both places, and at one time I became a 
teacher in a Union Sunday-school in Jefferson Village. 
One winter I distributed tracts every other Saturday 
through the latter place ; and for over a year I assisted in 
holding a family prayer-meeting, rotating between three 
different families. 

From my earliest years I had a general impression 
that I was to be a preacher of the gospel. Soon after 
my conversion these impressions became deep and settled 
convictions. But on two occasions I wavered. The 
medical profession very early (and indeed always) had 
for me strong attractions. For a short time I thought 
strongly of studying medicine. But while preparing to 
do so my convictions that I must preach the gospel re- 
turned with increased power. I then turned away from 
all the attractions of business and worldly professions, 
and in my heart devoted myself to whatever work the 
Lord might give me in the Christian ministry. 

I made known to my father my desire to preach the 
gospel. He took it kindly but cautiously ; talked with me 
about being called of God, the greatness and respon- 
sibility of the work; but upon the whole encouraged me. 
My pastor, Rev. Isaac M. Church, also gave me wise 
counsel relative to prayer and self-examination; and 
when, at his advice, I exercised my gifts in prayer and 
exhortation, he encouraged me to persevere in my en- 
deavors. 

The deacons of the church were more guarded. They 
exhorted me to examine my motives, and not hastily 
decide that the Lord wished me to preach. It was not 
yet apparent that I had the necessary gifts and the 
facility of utterance. I lisped when I spoke, and had 



26 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

some impediment in my speech. This the deacons re- 
garded as a serious obstacle to becoming an acceptable 
preacher. I told them that I felt the defect, and that if 
the Lord had called me he would sufficiently take it away, 
and that my conviction and faith was that he would 
remove it. I also referred to Demosthenes, who over- 
came great physical disadvantages. This, in a measure, 
satisfied the deacons. Later the church voted to approve 
my studying for the ministry; and early in life the defects 
in my speech largely disappeared. 



VI 

COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL DAYS 

AS my convictions grew that I must be a minister, 
I felt that I must go to college. I knew but little 
what that meant; but I knew that I must study Latin. 
I begged my father to buy me a Latin grammar. Well 
do I remember my joy when, upon an autumn afternoon 
of 1843, mv father came from Newark, and tossed into 
my hand " Andrews and Stoddards' Latin Grammar." 
Never was a book more welcome, and never for anything 
have I been more grateful. I began to study it by myself, 
without a guide or suggestion from any one. 

Eighteen months before this I had besought my father 
to allow me to stay home and work. Now I as earnestly 
desired to return to school and study. Father again 
granted my desire. I went to the same public school 
that I had attended when a child. Mr. J. F. Severance 
was the teacher, who had taken a college preparatory 
course. I began the study of algebra and Latin; also 
English grammar and astronomy, and, after a while, 
Greek. Thus about fifteen months passed away, when 
Mr. Severance left and entered Amherst College. 

A few months later I entered the private school of 
Rev. Abraham Harrison, at North Orange. Mr. Harri- 
son was a Presbyterian minister, a graduate of the col- 
lege at Princeton in 1797. He taught mostly English, 
but gave instructions in Latin and Greek to any who 
might wish to take up those studies. The distance from 
my home to his school was three miles and a half. This 
I walked daily. After a year, Mr. Harrison thought me 

27 



28 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

prepared to enter Princeton. I had read the Latin 
Reader, six books in Virgil, and four orations in Cicero. 
In Greek, I had read a portion of a Greek Reader, the 
first book of Xenophon's Anabasis, and a portion of 
Xenophon's Memorabilia. But while doing this, I had 
been drilled in only the simplest forms of construction, 
and had done nothing in either Latin or Greek com- 
position. 

On writing to Princeton for a catalogue and necessary 
information, I found the expenses were more than my 
father could afford. I was only sixteen, and I could 
well wait a year. So father set me to gardening and 
doing chores generally ; and we waited to see if the Lord 
would open the way. During a year at home from school 
I had much time for reading and study. I read the Gos- 
pels in Greek, almost all of the seven books of Xenophon's 
Anabasis, and two or three books of Homer's Odyssey. 
As I did this without a teacher and without any trans- 
lation, I made many mistakes, but got a good Greek 
vocabulary. Since I was looking forward to the ministry, 
I gave my principal attention to Greek, and very un- 
wisely undervalued and neglected Latin. Thus my pre- 
paratory course was one-sided. How much hard work 
it afterward cost me ! 

During these preparatory years I engaged occasionally 
in religious work, such as tract distribution and family 
visitation in connection with extra meetings. I scarcely 
ever missed the weekly prayer-meeting at South Orange. 
I kept a diary, from which I learn that I enjoyed re- 
ligious devotions and work, but had a very low view of 
my own spiritual condition. 

I was now seventeen years old, and my prospects for 
a college education had not brightened during the year. 
My pastor, Rev. J. B. Waterbury, had asked the New 
Jersey Baptist Education Society for assistance, but its 



COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL DAYS 20, 

treasury was overdrawn, and churches did not respond 
in collections. I walked twelve miles to Plainfield to see 
Rev. Simeon J. Drake, and five miles to Newark to see 
Rev. H. V. Jones, both of whom were connected with 
the Society. I learned that the Society had about a half- 
dozen beneficiaries, but had not enough funds to pay 
what they had promised to their support. Both Mr. 
Drake and Mr. Jones advised me to hold on prayer- 
fully, but they could give no present encouragement for 
financial aid. Father was greatly discouraged, and prob- 
ably would have given up all hope of my going any 
farther in my education had it not been for my brother 
Wicklifre. It was indeed a dark hour. 

Just about this time Rev. Daniel G. Sprague, pastor 
of the Presbyterian church at South Orange, said to my 
father that if I could become a Presbyterian minister 
the church would educate me. His son Daniel had been 
a classmate of mine for a year at Mr. Harrison's school 
in North Orange. I appreciated the offer and the kind- 
ness that prompted it. It would have delighted me to 
accept it. The church had been the spiritual birthplace of 
my father, and the spiritual home of my sainted mother 
and of my relations in that vicinity. I was at home in 
its Sabbath-school and its prayer-meetings. The com- 
panions of my childhood and youth were there. To go 
to Northfield Baptist Church meant a long walk over two 
mountains. I did not know the people there so well, 
and I had scarcely any associates among the young 
people. Indeed, almost everything on the side of social 
influence would lead me to accept the offer. But I 
could not accept; I must be faithful to my conscience. 
I had become a Baptist from convictions, and I must 
remain honest to myself, to God, and my fellow men. 

At length father advised me to learn a trade, or seek 
a clerkship in a store, and there pass three or four 



30 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

years and await the leadings of Providence. This it 
seemed best to do. I went to Newark in search of some 
position which I might be able to fill, but was unsuc- 
cessful. 

Just then occurred a little incident which determined 
the course of my whole after-life. On a Sunday morning 
in April, 1848, father and I were walking to church at 
Northfield. We were just on top of the second moun- 
tain and, as we approached a crossroad, who should 
meet us but Mr. J. James, of Milburn, a brother member, 
on his way to church. It was strange and singular that 
we should meet just there and then. On account of the 
distance, he did not come frequently to church. Never 
before or afterward, so far as I can remember, did we 
meet him on the way. He inquired at once about my 
studies and when I was going to college. We told him 
our troubles. He replied that the school at Milburn 
would soon need a teacher. He was president of the 
Board of Trustees, and there was no doubt but that I 
could have the school that spring or the coming autumn. 
Light gleamed on our darkness. It was a pivotal moment 
of my life. I have always regarded it as a marked 
providence of the Lord. It had not occurred to me that 
I could teach, I was so young, and so youthful in appear- 
ance, but I at once determined to try. 

In a few days Mr. James sent word that their teacher 
would continue another quarter, but that doubtless I 
could have the school in the autumn. In the meantime 
I could not be idle. Within a few days I had walked 
over fifty miles, visiting different school districts; at 
length, I found a school vacant at Spring Village, Short 
Hills, a mile above Milburn. The president of the 
Board of Trustees laughed heartily when he heard my 
application. " What ! such a small, young fellow as you 
teach school?" "That is what I am hoping to do/' I 



COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL DAYS 3 1 

answered, and referred him to Mr. James. The result 
was I was engaged. 

On Monday, May 22, 1848, I began teaching at Spring 
Village. It was three and a half miles from home. This 
I walked daily. I had about twenty pupils, most of them 
quite young. Everything passed off pleasantly. The 
parents and trustees expressed themselves pleased, and 
wished me to continue. But the school at Milburn was 
larger, and only two and a half miles from home. So I 
accepted that position, and began teaching in the autumn. 
In those days the teacher usually received two dollars 
a quarter for each pupil, and he collected his own bills. 
Some teachers were tardy in collecting, and lost con- 
siderably. I presented my bills personally at the end 
of each quarter, and fortunately lost but little. 

The school at Milburn averaged forty pupils of all 
grades and classes, between six and sixteen years of age. 
I was kept very busy and enjoyed the work, and the 
pupils generally made commendable progress. I taught 
here three quarters. During the last quarter, two or 
three boys proved unruly, and I expelled the leader, a 
son of a trustee. This offended the father. As a result, 
I accepted the school in Jefferson Village, only a mile 
from home. Mr. James was sorry to have me leave, 
but was glad that I had bettered myself. 

The school at Jefferson Village numbered about forty 
pupils, most of whom I had known from their early 
childhood. Some of them were almost of my own age. 
But we got along pleasantly and even enthusiastically 
together. More than in either of the other schools, the 
pupils loved me and I loved them. Memory dwells pleas- 
antly upon those days, upon scenes both in and out of 
school, and upon boys and girls who grew to be good 
men and women. The people wished me to continue. 
But I had gotten many things necessary for college life : 



32 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

and besides, I had put away one hundred dollars, a sum 
which in those days seemed large to me. I felt I could 
not delay longer my cherished plan of entering college. 
So I closed my school on August 15, 1848, having been 
teaching fifteen months. 



VII 

ENTERING AMHERST COLLEGE 

FOR several months it had been a question whether 
to go to Madison University or to Amherst College. 
A schoolmate, Daniel J. Sprague, had entered Amherst 
the year before, and he wished me to come there. It 
would cost less to get there, and less when I got there. 
Good board could be obtained in clubs for about one 
dollar a week. As I was studying for the ministry, 
my tuition would be free. The financial reasons decided 
the question for Amherst. 

While it is doubtless best for a Baptist young man 
to attend a Baptist college, yet in this case my decision 
proved a wise one. Just at that time professors and 
students at Hamilton were greatly agitated about the 
removal of the institution to Rochester. Professors were 
often absent from their classes, and students often 
diverted from their studies. The course of study was 
much affected. I have often regretted that I met so few 
Baptists in my college course. I have felt the loss of 
having known in college so few of those with whom I 
afterward labored in the ministry. But the course at 
Amherst was more thorough. A deeper foundation was 
laid, and a broader range of studies pursued. The repu- 
tation of Amherst also has often been of great advan- 
tage to me. 

After closing my school at Jefferson Village, I had but 
two weeks before starting for Amherst. I had hoped 
to review my studies, but for this I found no time. For 
over two years I had unwisely neglected Latin, and for 

33 



34 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

over a year I had not found time for Greek, except occa- 
sionally to read the Gospels. Had I known the severity 
of the Amherst examinations, I would have lost all 
heart for making an attempt. But in my case " igno- 
rance was bliss," and confidence in what I had known 
carried me safely through. 

Fortunately for me, the entrance examinations were 
oral, except prose composition, which I frankly con- 
fessed I never studied. In mathematics I passed easily. 
So, also, in Greek, though a little rusty; yet I had read 
more than was required. But Latin was almost a failure. 
I was admitted, however, into the freshman class, though 
conditioned in Latin. After three months of very hard 
work I met the condition, and was matriculated at the 
end of the first term. My class was instructed by tutors, 
and numbered fifty- three members. 

The president of the college in 1849 was Edward 
Hitchcock, D. D., LL. D., an eminent scientist, famous 
as a geologist, and an able evangelical preacher. He de- 
lighted to present science as the handmaid of religion. A 
scientific and religious atmosphere pervaded the college. 
He had gained his education through great financial 
struggles, and won his way to fame through many bodily 
infirmities. He had great sympathy with young men who 
were working to get an education. It was very largely 
through his influence that the price of board was kept 
low both in clubs and families. Associated with him was 
an able faculty. The professor of Greek was William 
S. Tyler, D. D., a ripe scholar and a fine teacher, class- 
mate and next in honor to Prof. H. B. Hackett, D. D. 
Ebenezer S. Snell was professor of mathematics and 
natural philosophy, a stimulating teacher and brilliant 
lecturer. Rev. Henry B. Smith, afterward of Union 
Theological Seminary, was professor of intellectual and 
moral philosophy. He was very popular with the stu- 



ENTERING AMHERST COLLEGE 35 

dents, and the finest preacher of the faculty. Besides 
these were Rev. Aaron Warner, professor of rhetoric 
and oratory; Charles U. Shepherd, M. D., professor of 
chemistry and natural history; and Charles B. Adams, 
professor of astronomy and zoology — all men of note 
and ability in their respective departments. 

The students were required to attend morning and 
evening prayers, and two services on the Sabbath. I was 
excused one Sabbath a month to attend the Baptist 
church. There was a mid-week evening meeting, attend- 
ance on which was optional. Class prayer-meetings were 
held on Saturday evenings. The chapel bell rang at 
5 a. m. for prayers in the summer, and at 6 a. m. in 
the winter. Immediately after prayers came the first 
recitation of one hour, which was followed by break- 
fast. The 'second recitation came at eleven o'clock, 
followed by dinner ; the third at five o'clock, followed by 
supper. On Wednesday afternoon there were declama- 
tions before the whole college. On Saturday the after- 
noon recitation was omitted. This arrangement worked 
well. I regarded it as most excellent. It contributed to 
habits of early rising as well as of early retiring, and 
to health fulness. The modern plan of bringing the recita- 
tions together in the forenoon does not commend itself 
to me as an improvement. Perhaps it is easier and more 
convenient for the professors, but it does not divide and 
systematize the time so well for students. 

Upon my entrance I was assigned to room No. 4, 
South College, first floor, backside, corner next to chapel. 
I was also assigned to one of the two literary societies. 

I joined the best boarding club, the price of the board 
being one dollar and twenty cents a week. A club was 
run by a steward, who received his board for his labor. 
A woman furnished room, table, and dishes, and did the 
cooking for twenty-five cents a member weekly. There 



36 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

were twenty in our club. We had mush and milk for 
breakfast, meat once a day, and milk toast or biscuit, or 
both with ginger cake, for supper. The diet, though 
plain, was substantial. 

The first few days of college life were cloudy and 
rainy. Far from friends and home, there came over us 
very naturally a feeling of loneliness and sadness. But 
we had not much time for gloom. Every minute was 
occupied, and there were constant diversions. We were 
entering on a new life and new scenes. We were having 
new experiences and making new friends. So time 
passed pleasantly and rapidly. 



VIII 

FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE 

THE first thing I recall in college life is our alpha- 
betical seats in the chapel at daily prayers and 
Sabbath services. Beside me were James Buckland, 
afterward a successful business man in St. Louis and 
later a preacher of the gospel ; Amos Coolidge, for many 
years the faithful and beloved pastor in Leicester, Massa- 
chusetts; and Edward P. Crowell, who became eminent 
as professor of Latin in Amherst College. 

The next thing I remember was my introduction to 
Livy, with whose history I wrestled for the space of six 
months, unrelentingly and with varying successes. I 
recall an instructive incident; I was troubled about 
a certain grammatical construction. As I had been 
accustomed to dig out everything myself, I sought aid 
from no one. Having poor success, I ventured to ask 
the tutor, expecting to obtain the light that I needed. 
But to my disappointment he gave no explanation, but 
merely referred me to the treatment of the topic in the 
grammar, which I had already read and reread with 
only a darkening effect. Afterward I found that my 
trouble was principally in the misconception of terms. 
The difficulty could have been removed in a few minutes, 
if the tutor had sought out my trouble, explained, and 
illustrated the terms used. He teaches best who best 
adapts himself to the capacity of his pupils. 

The most exciting matter during the first term in col- 
lege was the discussion concerning college secret socie- 
ties. It was said that certain things had occurred in 

37 



38 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

connection with these societies which were not for the 
best interest of the college. 

As a consequence, a year before, 1848, there had been 
organized an Anti-secret Society, which took the name of 
Equitable Fraternity. Its aim was moral and literary, to 
secure the enjoyment of literary privileges and social 
advantages, without oaths or secrets. It had a vigorous 
beginning, and there were enrolled in its membership a 
goodly number of excellent, earnest men. A room was 
given by the college for the meetings, and was fitted up 
by the members. It became noted as a literary society 
and as a moral force in the college. Its influences con- 
tinued in classes that followed us. Its membership " in- 
cluded a large proportion of the best of the college, and 
many of the honor men, as for example, in one class 
the valedictorian, salutatorian, and philosophical orator." 
The society still continues as a non-secret fraternity, 
under the name of Delta Upsilon. 

It is my opinion that, if it were possible, it would be 
better both for the college government and the students,, 
if all these fraternities, secret and non-secret, were 
abolished, and the whole strength and heart of the 
students were put into the general literary societies of 
the college. The college is and should be the most 
democratic place in the world, and whatever tends to 
form cliques or produces alienations should be as far as 
possible avoided. 

The fall term closed on Tuesday, November twenty- 
seventh, just before Thanksgiving Day. There was a 
long winter vacation, in order to accommodate such stu- 
dents as were obliged by their circumstances to teach a 
term of school. Such students were allowed to be absent 
the first six weeks of the winter term. As I could not 
spare my time from my studies, I arranged with the 
American Tract Society, Boston, to spend the vacation in 



FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE 39 

selling their publications. I chose for my field of work 
the northern part of the State, along the line of the Fitch- 
burg Railroad, from Millers Falls to Gardner, making 
excursions at times a little to the north and to the south. 
Books were sent me to certain stations on this road as I 
needed them. 

My first Sabbath, December first, I spent with Rev. 
William Leach, pastor of the Baptist church at Wendell, 
who was once an Amherst student, and afterward pas- 
tor at Lyons Farms, New Jersey. He it was who 
assisted Rev. I. M. Church in a few meetings at Jefferson 
Village soon after my conversion, and by his counsel 
helped me in my early Christian course. I received 
from him and his family a hearty welcome. It was a 
joy to meet one whom I had known six years before. 
Mr. Leach gave me valuable advice, and encouraged me 
in my work. He told me of his brother, Rev. San ford 
Leach, who was pastor at Baldwinville, and advised me 
to visit him. This I concluded to do. 

It was Friday evening, December seventh, that I arrived 
at Baldwinville, and called on Rev. Sanford Leach. I 
at once learned that he was an Amherst graduate of the 
class of 1837, and had been pastor at Deckertown, New 
Jersey, where he married his wife. The fact that I was 
a Jersey boy was my best introduction to the family. 
I was most cordially received. A son even could hardly 
have met a heartier welcome. It was a bright spot in 
that period of my life. Pleasant memories still cluster 
around that Christian home. For five weeks I made it 
my headquarters, going to and returning from different 
places as it might be necessary to carry on my work for 
the Society. 

Thus the vacation passed away, with some weariness 
and physical exposures, some snow and some intense 
cold, but with much hopefulness and much enjoyment. 



40 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

I got back to Amherst in good health, and began a new 
term by buying and sawing a cord of wood. 

The notable event of the winter term, and indeed of 
the whole year, was a great revival of religion, which 
imparted new energy to Christians and reached almost 
every unconverted person in college. Thursday, Feb- 
ruary twenty-eighth, was the day of fasting and prayer 
for literary institutions of our country. The friends of 
the college had looked forward to the day with much 
anxiety and prayer. It was four years since the institu- 
tion had been visited with special revival. During its 
history no class had graduated without passing through 
at least one season of special refreshing. The question 
was often asked, Shall this year, and this senior class 
be an exception ? Will not the Lord be gracious as in the 
past? There was much preparation and searching of 
hearts. The president was very earnest in preaching and 
personal effort. 

The day came. It was devoted entirely to religious 
services. The day was rendered more solemn by the 
sad providence of God in the death, just the day before, 
of Prof. W. A. Peabody, after a brief illness. A gloom 
spread over the college. Death and eternity seemed very 
near as we attended the last funeral rites the following 
day, which was Friday. 

On Saturday evening the president visited the class 
prayer-meetings. In our meeting he proposed four Scrip- 
ture questions : " How old art thou ? " " How long shall 
I live?" "Who among us shall dwell with everlasting 
burnings ? " " Is it I ? " After the meetings the pro- 
fessed Christians of our class, comprising one-half, met, 
and each one selected an unconverted classmate, for 
whose conversion he would labor and pray. The Sab- 
bath services were of deep interest, and the week fol- 
lowing gave signs of the outpouring of the Spirit. During 



FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE 41 

the whole month of March the work went on, until almost 
every non-professor of our class and of the senior class 
professed conversion, and very many from the other 
classes. If I remember rightly, about sixty professed a 
change of heart. 

The college was well organized for service. Within the 
institution itself was an organized Congregational college 
church. Its members were from families of the faculty 
and of college people of the town and many of the stu- 
dents. The president, who was pastor, preached about 
half of the time, and other members of the faculty the 
other half. All were evangelical preachers and workers. 
A strong spiritual influence was the result. A religious 
atmosphere pervaded the college at all times. In seasons 
of special effort, the various agencies were at hand, ready 
for very effective work. In no college have I ever seen 
Christian forces so well organized to serve. I think 
it worthy of imitation in some Baptist colleges. 

The influence of the revival followed us through the 
remainder of the year. There had been a deepening of 
the work of grace in our souls, and an increased enjoy- 
ment of spiritual things. Our class prayer-meetings were 
interesting and profitable and largely attended. All 
seemed actuated by higher and nobler purposes, to make 
the most of life and its opportunities, and to be faithful 
in all things. 

Freshman year ended August eighth. It had been a suc- 
cessful year in study, in work, and in meeting expenses. 
When a child, I learned to sew and do a little at tailoring. 
I utilized this knowledge during the year in making 
myself a suit of clothes, and occasionally repairing gar- 
ments for students. I also received twenty-five dollars, 
being my share from the sale of a land-warrant, which 
was given by the government on account of military 
services by my oldest brother, Dayton, who died in 



42 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

the Mexican war. During the second and third terms 
of the year my board cost me about a dollar a week in 
the cheaper clubs. As a result I closed the year with 
all my bills paid and forty dollars in hand with which to 
begin a new year. 



IX 

SOPHOMORE YEAR 

THE summer vacation of four weeks I spent at home. 
As I had not enough money to carry me through 
sophomore year, it was necessary to make plans for 
meeting my expenses. My brother Wickliffe had gone 
West to seek his fortune. My father had lost money, 
and was unable to help me. So I engaged to teach the 
winter term of school in Jefferson Village, where I had 
taught two years before. On September 3, 1850, I 
returned to Amherst, and entered upon the studies of a 
new year. I was very busy, and time passed almost 
unnoticed. The first term soon came to an end, and 
I returned home and began my school on November 
twenty-fifth. 

I loved to teach, and time passed pleasantly. I was 
greatly interested in my pupils, and everybody seemed 
pleased. The trustees and patrons besought me to con- 
tinue. While I would have liked to do so, I felt that 
it was best to pursue my studies as fast as possible. So 
I returned to college February 24, 185 1. I was at once 
confronted with very much and very hard work, having 
lost the first six weeks of the term. However, I made 
up my studies, and passed the necessary examinations. 

Most of the spring vacation of three weeks I spent 
in canvassing for the " Mother's Assistant," a monthly 
magazine published in Boston. I visited most of the 
towns between Sunderland and Springfield, and traveled 
one hundred and seventy miles. I had poor success, be- 
cause the " Mother's Journal " was largely taken through 

43 



44 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

this region. I earned, however, nearly ten dollars over 
expenses. About half of the time I lived on bread or 
crackers and milk. Still I was in good health, and daily 
thanked God for his goodness. I greatly enjoyed the 
beautiful scenery of the Connecticut River Valley. But 
I returned to Amherst anticipating better times from 
the fields of literature and science. 

The few days before term-time I employed myself 
in assisting the college janitor in mending carpets, setting 
fences, and doing chores. I began boarding myself, 
expecting to continue this way of living through the 
summer term. Then I thought it would be necessary to 
stay out a year and teach. It was the darkest financial 
period of my college life. But just then occurred one 
of the many remarkable providences which God has given 
me. I give it substantially as I wrote it May 31, 185 1 : 

" I have great reason to praise God for his goodness. 
At the end of last term I was in a quandary how to meet 
the expenses of the summer term. I took an agency, but 
did not succeed very well. Three or four days before 
the term began I returned to Amherst somewhat troubled, 
but not discouraged, for my trust was in God. I began 
boarding myself. On Friday evening at eight o'clock 
Mr. L. B. Fifield, a classmate, came to my room and urged 
me to spend the night with him, and I replied jocosely 
that I would if he would give me my breakfast. This, of 
course, was acceded to. The next morning in conversation 
at breakfast I incidentally spoke of the various kinds of 
work I was doing. Miss Montague, with whom Mr. 
Fifield boarded, took particular notice of this, and after 
breakfast asked me how I would like to help her two or 
three hours, as she was cleaning house and it was Satur- 
day, and she wanted to get things in order before Sun- 
day, and also said that if I would, she would board me 
over Sunday. I was glad to receive such an offer, and 



SOPHOMORE YEAR 45 

went immediately at work and continued to work all day. 
The following Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I 
worked part of the time papering walls, piling up the 
wood in the wood-house, and helping generally. Since 
that time, during six weeks I have worked a little every 
day, painting and doing a variety of things. Thus I 
earned my board so far this term. (This I continued 
for ten weeks.) I feel specially thankful to God. Often 
during my last vacation I prayed while walking along 
the road, sometimes in a solitary wood, often by a lonely 
wayside, where no eye but God could see me, kneeling 
upon the ground and asking God to provide for me this 
term in a way that seemed best to him. God has, indeed, 
answered my prayer, and in a manner that I least 
expected." 

But a still more wonderful providence awaited me. On 
the seventh of June I received a letter from Rev. Henry 
C. Fish, pastor of the First Baptist Church at Newark, 
New Jersey, informing me that I had been admitted as a 
beneficiary of the New Jersey Baptist Education Society. 
This came to me as a great surprise. My name had 
been before the Society for about four years, but the 
Society seemed almost dead, and but little money was 
raised. I had given up hope of aid from that direction. 
But Mr. Fish had become secretary, and was infusing 
some of his own life and energy into the institution. On 
June third, the East New Jersey Baptist Association met 
with his church, and at his suggestion the evening was 
given to the subject of ministerial education. Addresses 
were made, and notably one by Rev. A. Rauschenbusch, 
of New York, (afterward professor at Rochester) on 
the condition of the German population of our country. 
Three German young men, studying for the ministry, 
were adopted as beneficiaries, and their support was 
guaranteed by several brethren of the First Baptist 



46 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

Church. In addition, a collection of forty-seven dollars 
was taken up. 

Rev. J. H. Waterbury, who had been my pastor at 
Northfield, then arose and said : " We have provided for 
our German brethren, and shall we not take care of our 
own ? " He then referred to one who had some time 
before sought aid of this Society in vain, and who was, 
amid great difficulty, working his way through Amherst 
College. Immediately four brethren of the First Church 
arose and pledged twenty dollars each annually until the 
young brother should complete his course of study. 
Hence the letter that I received from Mr. Fish four days 
later. 

I was greatly affected by this unexpected kindness, 
manifested at a time when I most needed it. My heart 
swelled with gratitude to God and to my brethren. This 
led me to take my letter from Northfield and unite with 
the First Baptist Church at Newark in the following 
autumn. On the twenty-first of December, 185 1, Mr. 
Fish gave me the right hand of fellowship in behalf of 
the church. 

As a result of this experience, I have always been an 
earnest advocate of education societies, and of helping 
all needy and worthy young men seeking an education. 
Objection has been made to the methods employed, that 
they tend to destroy manliness in students, and that they 
are offensive to their self-respect. But such was not the 
effect in my case. To me they proved a means of grace, 
and made me more desirous to devote my whole life and 
being to the service of God. They made me feel that I 
had not mistaken my calling. They stimulated me in 
study and faithfulness, and to the best improvement 
of opportunities and privileges, so as not to disappoint 
the hopes and expectations of those who were helping me 
as a servant of the Lord. 



SOPlfQMQRE YEAR 47 

The rest of the college year passed pleasantly with a 
variety of experiences. One of the pleasing incidents 
of the summer term was the providing of ourselves with 
class canes. These were made of ebony wood, with ivory 
heads, and silver-mounted, and inscribed " Amherst Col- 
lege, Class of 1853," to which was added the owner's 
name. They were used for a time, and then put aside 
for old age. Their influence was good in unifying the 
class and in cultivating a class spirit. 

But one of the canes proved the occasion of the most 
exciting episode of our college life. A young belle from 
Vermont had come to town, and frequently appeared on 
the street in bloomer costume. She was very attractive, 
and became the theme of town and college gossip. Many 
of us said that, if we ever married, we would select a 
Vermont girl, which years afterward I fortunately did. 
Some of the students were specially attracted toward her, 
and daily she was seen with some one of them. A 
freshman was one of the number, and he was seen walk- 
ing out with her, flourishing a sophomore cane! As 
might be expected, the sophomores were greatly excited 
over such an unheard-of liberty taken by a freshman. 
Soon the news spread to every member of the class. 
A meeting was hastily called. The class took the au- 
thority in their own hands — appointed officers, sheriff, 
marshal, constable, judge, lawyers, and court of justice, 
and requested me to write a poem to read before the class 
at their weekly exercise of compositions. 

The freshman was arrested, and a day appointed for 
his trial. The day came, and the court assembled in the 
lecture-room of the college chapel. Students from all the 
classes crowded the room to witness the proceedings. 
Witnesses were summoned and testimony taken, and 
lawyers for the State and for the defense discussed elo- 
quently. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty with a 



48 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

recommendation for mercy. The judge decided, in view 
of the youthfulness and inexperience of the prisoner that 
he go free after receiving censure from the court. My 
part came on Saturday morning, two days later. 

I had dabbled somewhat in poetry since coming to 
college, having written some poems as compositions. For 
this occasion I prepared an epic of three hundred and 
twenty lines, descriptive of the weeping heavens and the 
shrouded earth, and the sun hiding his face in an eclipse, 
and other scenes and occurrences connected with the 
events above related, closing with a eulogy for the class 
of fifty-three. I read it as my regular composition be- 
fore the professor and the class to the amusement of 
all. During these proceedings the freshman and his class 
took all in good part. The excitement subsided, and a 
reign of good feeling followed. This was near the 
end of July. In about two weeks the year closed. 



X 

LAST TWO YEARS IN COLLEGE 

MY junior and senior years in college naturally go 
together, since I lost through sickness the latter 
part of the first and the first part of the other. My 
summer vacation of 1851 I spent at home; returning to 
Amherst on September eleventh, I entered upon my 
junior year. My prospects in every respect were much 
better than the year before. The college had given me 
the care of the chapel, which, with other work connected 
with the position, would yield me sixty dollars for the 
year. Besides this, I was to receive eighty dollars from 
the Education Society. I engaged board in a good 
family, by the name of Rankin, a mile south of the col- 
lege, at one dollar and fifty cents a week. Thus I 
walked six miles daily for my meals. This, with my 
chapel duties, gave me abundant exercise. I had good 
health. 

I entered upon my studies with renewed zeal, and 
enjoyed every one of them. Amherst at this time was 
quite in the lead of American colleges in teaching the 
sciences, especially in geology and zoology. Doctor Hitch- 
cock gave us an extended course of lectures on anatomy, 
physiology, and hygiene in connection with a manikin. 
These were very helpful, and ever since have proved of 
great service to me. 

On February 15, 1852, I celebrated my twenty-first 
birthday. It was one of the several halting-places in my 
life when I stopped to review the past, and to look seri- 
ously into the future. I was filled with gratitude and 

49 



50 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

wonder in view of God's dealings with me. I could see 
that I had been blessed in many ways. 

My religion at that time was of the graver type. My 
thoughts ran into the severer channels of God's truth, 
and dwelt largely upon the terrors of the law. Two in- 
cidents occurred which illustrate this. One was the 
writing of a poem. I selected as my theme " The Drunk- 
ard's Doom," and described the dying drunkard entering 
the world of woe, meeting his doom, and resigning him- 
self to his fate. This was afterward published in the 
" Christian Chronicle," Philadelphia. The other incident 
was my first sermon. I was not yet licensed to preach, 
but Rev. J. E. Rue, pastor of the Baptist church, Scotch 
Plains, New Jersey, had urged me to visit him and 
preach for him. Accordingly I prepared a discourse from 
Isaiah 33: 14: " The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearful- 
ness hath surprised the hypocrites. . . Who among us shall 
dwell with everlasting burnings ? " I preached it in the 
Scotch Plains Church on Sunday, April 25, 1852, and re- 
peated it in the Northfield Baptist Church on Sunday, 
May sixteenth. I wrote, and committed it to memory. 
This was during the spring vacation. 

Returning to Amherst for the summer, I was stricken 
with severe sickness and thereby lost about a half-year 
of my college course. Yet I look back upon this sickness 
as one of the most important events of my college life, 
in its influence on my mental and spiritual well-being. 

Early in July I was laid aside for a few days with a 
slight attack of lung fever. As I did not recover so fast 
as my physician desired he prescribed a dose of calomel. 
In some way, perhaps owing to my rundown condition, 
I took cold, and the result was a very serious attack of 
congestion of the liver, threatening an abscess. Two 
physicians attended me, and for some days my life hung 
in a balance. I asked my physicians to tell me frankly 



LAST TWO YEARS IN COLLEGE 5 1 

my condition. They told me that I might not live, but 
that they were doing all they could for me and hoped to 
save my life. 

As soon as I was taken so seriously ill my class met 
and engaged a Mr. Haskell, the best nurse in town, agree- 
ing to pay him, and also the expense of my journey home 
when able to undertake it. I was in my room in North 
College. A spring wagon with a soft bed upon it was 
sent, on which classmates tenderly placed me, and I was 
carefully borne to my boarding-place, the house of Mr. 
Rankin. Here in a few days the crisis of my disease 
was passed, and I began to show signs of improvement. 
But it was seven weeks before I could be up and around 
the house. 

But God overruled this affliction for my good. I passed 
through a remarkable experience, the value of which 
cannot well be estimated. Temporal things seemed 
almost eclipsed by things eternal. I was deeply humbled 
and distrustful of myself, but fully reliant on Jesus 
Christ as my all-sufficient Saviour. The book of Eccle- 
siastes became my favorite. I have heard this book 
treated slightingly, but no book in the Bible so fully 
suited my case and feelings. At my request the nurse, 
who was a Christian man, read from it frequently, and 
I did the same as soon as I was able. How deeply I 
realized that childhood and youth are vanity! How 
forcibly did the exhortation of the wise men to the young 
come home to my heart. 

I was nine weeks at the home of Mr. Rankin. The 
doctors advised me to take a few months for recreation 
and rest. So on Monday, September twenty-seventh, 
though quite weak, I started for home. I went as far as 
Springfield and stopped over night. On Tuesday I went 
to New Haven and, after resting a few hours, I took 
the boat for New York, and got five hours' sleep. And 



52 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

on Wednesday morning I arrived at my home in South 
Orange, New Jersey, very tired and exhausted. 

I now began to improve rapidly. As health returned I 
found to my surprise a great mental development. My 
mind had gained greatly in strength and clearness of 
thought. Never had it acted so quickly, never was 
memory so strong. I seemed a new man in soul and 
body. The Gospel of Matthew became my favorite book 
of the Bible. A portion of my leisure time I spent in 
reading. Some of the works of Alexander Carson fell 
into my hands, and I was especially interested in his 
" Knowledge of Jesus," and his work on the " Principles 
of Biblical Interpretation." I also read with pleasure 
Dr. Thomas Reid's " Inquiry into the Human Mind on 
the Principle of Common Sense." 

I also visited friends in different places, attended 
religious meetings, and on several occasions spoke at 
considerable length. In November I cast my first vote, 
it being presidential election. I voted for General Scott. 
About the same time I attended for the first time the 
Anniversaries of the New Jersey Baptist State Conven- 
tion and the New Jersey Baptist Education Society at 
Burlington, New Jersey, and met with many whom I 
greatly honored and afterward learned to love. At 
Northfield one Sunday morning I spoke on Christ weep- 
ing over Jerusalem. There had entered in my religious 
life a greater element of sympathy and Christian tender- 
ness. In December I visited Plainfield, and spoke on a 
Sunday morning in the Second Baptist Church for the 
pastor, Rev. Daniel T. Hill. At his home I saw his little 
son of two years, David J., who has since become famous 
as college president at Bucknell and Rochester, and after- 
ward Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador to 
Germany. I visited my former pastor, Rev. J. W. Water- 
bury, at Elizabethtown, and on the evening of December 



LAST TWO YEARS IN COLLEGE 53 

twenty-third I spoke in his church on the " Wise and 
Foolish Virgins." This was my first visit in Elizabeth 
and with the church where I was afterward to be nine 
years a pastor. 

With the beginning of 1853 came the time for my 
return to college. I was anxious to continue and grad- 
uate with my class, both because of our pleasant relations 
and associations for the preceding three years, and also 
because of the sympathy and kindness I had received 
during my sickness. The college dealt very gently with 
me, excusing me from the examinations of the last term, 
junior year, and from the studies of the first term of 
senior year. I returned to Amherst January fourth, and 
entered earnestly on my work. I greatly enjoyed all of 
my studies, and made up the mental philosophy of the 
first term. Butler's Analogy I knew almost by heart. 
Geology, political economy, and elements of criticism 
were of great interest. I remember an incident which 
shows the trend of my mind at that time. The professor 
of rhetoric, Rev. Aaron Warner, requested members of 
our class to prepare reviews of books, to be presented 
to him and read before the class. I prepared one on 
Ernesti's theological work, " Principles of Interpreta- 
tion." The professor both approved and criticized, re- 
marking that such subjects befitted the theological semi- 
nary-better than the college. 

During the spring vacation I visited Boston and New- 
ton Theological Seminary, where I was inclined to take 
my theological course. Among the students I met was 
George Dana Boardman, who impressed me as a genial 
and talented young man. I visited the several classes, 
attending recitations and lectures under the different 
professors. I was especially impressed with Dr. H. B. 
Hackett. I can never forget his keen eye — it was in 
itself an arousing force. He had great magnetic power 



54 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

over his pupils, who were ever kept on the alert by his 
quick mind. His questions, often in rapid succession, 
stimulated the most careful preparation. His clear ex- 
planations charmed his hearers. He seemed like a mighty 
propelling force behind his students. 

The twelfth of May found me at Amherst beginning 
the summer term of senior year. The seven weeks of 
advance work, reviews, and examinations soon passed, 
and then came the six weeks' senior vacation before com- 
mencement. On Saturday, June twenty-fifth, we held 
our last college prayer-meeting. Most of the class were 
present — a few were necessarily absent. It was a season 
never to be forgotten. There were mutual expressions 
of good- will and affection. If anything had occurred 
unpleasant, it was forgiven and buried forever. We 
thanked God for life and health, and commended each 
other to our heavenly Father's care. Not one of the 
class had died, and though some had fallen out by the 
way, forty-two remained to graduate. 

The spirit of that meeting has ever since pervaded the 
class. Our ties of friendship have been strong and en- 
during. Eleven reunions have been held, at each of 
which the class has been largely represented by its mem- 
bers. They have been seasons for renewing our youth 
and helping one another. A fund of one thousand, five 
hundred dollars has been raised as a class scholarship. 
It has been our good fortune to have two of our class 
residing at Amherst, Prof. E. P. Crowell, D. D., and 
Edwin Nelson, who have done much to make our class 
gatherings successful. Four weeks of the senior vaca- 
tion I spent in Clinton County, New York, as a Sunday- 
school missionary of the American Sunday School Union. 
Mr. James Buckland, of St. Louis, was a fellow mission- 
ary who went into the northern part of the same county. 

My work kept me very busy, and the weeks passed 



LAST TWO YEARS IN COLLEGE 55 

quickly and very pleasantly. I traveled about two hun- 
dred miles, made nine addresses, and organized four 
schools, besides visiting several schools already organ- 
ized, sold eight libraries consisting in all of seven hun- 
dred and eighty-three volumes, and donated ten dollars' 
worth of books to needy schools. I recall an interesting 
incident connected with my Sunday-school work. One 
of the first schools I visited was at Cumberland Head, 
where Mr. T. B. Chamberlain was superintendent. I 
spent a day in visiting the families of the district, and 
held a meeting at night, making an address. Twelve 
dollars and seventy cents was raised, and a library of 
one hundred and twelve volumes sold. Three weeks 
later I called on Mr. Chamberlain, who told me that my 
visit had been greatly blessed to the school, which had 
largely increased in numbers and interest. At the end of 
four weeks Mr. Buckland and I met, by previous ar- 
rangement at Plattsburg, where we took boat and enjoyed 
a very delightful sail down the lake to Whitehall. There 
we took cars for Rutland, and from thence returned 
the same way we came, arriving at Amherst August 
fourth. 

The most stirring event of our closing college life was 
Senior Class Day. A large audience attended the after- 
noon exercises in the chapel. An oration was delivered 
by Mr. Joshua N. Marshall on the " Elements of True 
Distinction." Mr. Marshall had a fine presence, a full, 
deep, charming voice, and stood at the head of our class 
as an orator. His oration foretokened the eminence 
he afterward attained in Church and State as a Christian 
lawyer. He was a member of the Massachusetts House 
of Representatives in 1863-1864, and of the State Senate 
from 1867 to 1869. For nine years he was a faithful and 
valuable member of the Massachusetts Home Missionary 
Society. He was also a member and secretary of the 



56 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

Board of Visitors of Andover Theological Seminary, and 
rendered most valuable service in guiding the seminary 
through a most serious trial of its history. He died at 
Lowell, Massachusetts, where he had spent his public 
life, March 2, 1895. " The memory of the just is 
blessed." 

It fell to my lot to be class poet. My theme was 
" College Heroes." The poem consisted of four hundred 
and fifty lines, and was descriptive of various characters 
in college life. In closing, I said: 

Work on, brave heroes, we wish you Godspeed, 

Ennoble your work and nobly succeed! 

Pass on to new scenes, new laurels attain, 

New conflicts begin, new victories gain; 

Nor faint by the way, though scorched by the sun. 

Nor grieve at a course so nobly begun ; 

Nor linger to rest, nor slacken your pace, 

Nor vaunt on the prize ere ending your race. 

Take courage, brave heroes, where'er you roam, 
Delight to honor your old classic home ; 
Be ready to answer your country's demand, 
And honor forever our dear native land; 
Confine not your love so kindly unfurled. 
Do good to all men and honor the world. 

When life is fleeting and hastens to fade, 
Its labors quite o'er, its light and its shade, 
May beams celestial enlighten its verge, 
And guide you safely to bliss o'er the surge ! 
And there shall you live in ne'er-ending rest, 
No fear to disturb you — pure, active, and blest — 
In life immortal, divinely given, 
Now heroes of earth, then heroes of heaven. 

I have been asked frequently by college friends why 
I have not continued to write in verse. My uniform 
reply has been : " I have found so much prose in life 



LAST TWO YEARS IN COLLEGE $? 

that I have had no time to write poetry." Still, in my 
student days, there flitted through my brain the thought 
that when the toils of life were mostly over I would 
leave some poem which would become immortal. But 
it was all a dream. 

On Thursday, August n, 1853, we graduated. It was 
a hot summer day, the sky serene and almost cloudless. 
As I viewed the heavens with a tinge of sadness I said, 
" So may life end in a clear and peaceful horizon." The 
salutatory was given by my lifelong friend, Prof. Edward 
P. Crowell, D. D., and the valedictory by Prof. Richard 
S. Storrs. Both of these were brilliant students, and as 
far as I recall always made what were regarded perfect 
recitations. There were other fine students in our class. 
Indeed, I think the class as a whole stood in scholar- 
ship above the average in those days. After the com- 
mencement exercises we gathered and sat together as a 
class at the alumni dinner. After dinner we shook hands 
and parted, never all to meet again in this world. Col- 
lege classmates and college days, farewell! Many times 
we have returned as a class, but always a number has 
been absent. 

The question arises, What profit did you get from 
your college course? In reply I would say: First, I 
gained a conception of the vastness of the field of knowl- 
edge and its many branches which I might investigate 
through time and eternity. Just before my graduation 
I wrote : " I am astonished how little I know, and how 
much there is yet to be known. I stand, as it were, at a 
point of light from which spring beams in every direc- 
tion, extending through the range of my vision into 
illimitable space beyond." 

Secondly, I learned how to study, how to fix my atten- 
tion on a single point, how to apply my mind to a given 
subject, how to control my thoughts in investigating and 



58 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

coming to a conclusion. I remember that soon after- 
ward at the Rochester Theological Seminary I roomed 
near the railroad roundhouse and machine shop, where 
there was a constant noise of trains, whistles, and ham- 
mering of boilers, but I could become so absorbed in 
study as not to be in the least disturbed. The playing 
of children would not affect me ; and, in preaching, worry- 
ing babies would not annoy me. 

Thirdly, I laid the foundation of future work and 
started many lines of study which I could afterward 
pursue. This was particularly true of philological and 
theological studies, also of the sciences. The large and 
valuable library of Neander had been purchased and 
brought to the seminary building at Rochester. There 
were many volumes in Latin and Greek, which my knowl- 
edge of these languages enabled me to consult to advan- 
tage. I also had sufficient German to do a little with 
some valuable German works. All my previous training 
was brought into requisition in the theological seminary. 
Indeed, the foundation of my life-studies and work may 
be traced very largely to my college course. 

But my college course was not what it might have been, 
if I had had more financial means and better health. In 
teaching school, work, and sickness I lost, altogether, 
almost a year. My expenses during the four years, not 
including the bills for nurse and physicians during my 
long sickness, amounted to five hundred and twenty 
dollars. I believe I acquired a certain discipline and 
self-dependence, a certain push and power of overcoming 
difficulties, by working my way so largely. But if I had 
received help from friends from the beginning of my 
course, I could often have done better work, and taken 
better care of my health, and probably avoided much sick- 
ness, As it was, I feel very grateful to God who over- 
ruled all for my spiritual good. 



XI 

FIRST YEAR IN THE ROCHESTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 

AFTER graduating from college two questions con- 
fronted me. Shall I teach a year? Where shall J 
take my theological course? As to teaching, it seemed 
necessary, though I preferred to continue my studies if 
possible. But I was a little in debt, and needed clothing 
and some money to start with. Rev. H. C. Fish, my 
pastor, and the leading brethren of the church at Newark 
encouraged me to go to the seminary at once. They 
accompanied their words with deeds, for one Sunday 
after morning service, Mr. Daniel M. Wilson, the lead- 
ing financial man of the church, handed me eighty dol- 
lars from several brethren. This was all sufficient and 
settled the question. 

As to which theological seminary I should attend, my 
New England training and my recent visit to Newton, 
Massachusetts, inclined me thither. But my church and 
pastor at Newark strongly favored Rochester, New 
York. They were in close sympathy with New York 
Baptists and with the Rochester movement, and regarded 
themselves as in the region naturally belonging to 
Rochester. They thought the education received there 
would best unite the thorough and the practical, and best 
meet the wants of the times. Mr. Fish too had been the 
leader in organizing the German Department of the 
Rochester Theological Seminary the year before, and 
thereby his interest in the seminary had been increased. 
In view of the desire and opinion of those who were 
doing so much for me I yielded my preferences, and 

59 



60 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

decided for Rochester. Many years have passed since 
then, and I have never regretted my decision. 

My last Sunday home before leaving for Rochester was 
September eleventh. I attended the morning service of 
the First Baptist Church, Newark. Mr. Fish preached, 
and after the service he invited me to go home with him 
and dine. There I met his sister, Susan C. Fish, a 
teacher, who had returned to her school, having spent her 
vacation at her home in Halifax, Vermont. Little did 
I think that she was to be my wife and my most im- 
portant helper in life. Yet there was something about 
her that especially impressed me, and as I bade her 
adieu I felt a regret that I had no greater opportunity 
of making her acquaintance. Future events were begin- 
ning to cast their shadows before. 

In the afternoon of my arrival at Rochester I called 
upon Prof. T. J. Conant, who was then the head of the 
seminary. I handed to him my diploma of graduation, 
certificate of church-membership, and letter from the 
church approving of my studying for the ministry. He 
told me that these were sufficient for admittance into 
the seminary. He entered into conversation with me, 
and made me feel perfectly at home. His kindness and 
personal interest, like that of a father for a son, greatly 
impressed and inspired me. He introduced me to his 
accomplished wife and their children. 

There was a delightful commingling of the family and 
scholarly atmosphere, of culture, refinement, and affec- 
tion. Doctor Conant had a charming home life, as I 
afterward knew it, attractive not only by the harmonious 
arrangements of his family, but also by the rare accom- 
plishments of his wife, Mrs. Hannah C. Conant. She 
was proficient in several of the modern languages, espe- 
cially in German, and knew enough of the ancient lan- 
guages to be helpful to her husband in tracing references 



FIRST YEAR IN SEMINARY 6l 

and preparing copy for the press. It was a beautiful 
sight to see them both working at their different tasks at 
the same table. Thus they prosecuted their labors to- 
gether for thirty-six years, till she passed away in 1865. 

The university and the seminary were entering upon 
the fourth year of their existence. Neither owned build- 
ings. They were separate organizations, but both were 
housed in a large, old stone building on West Main 
Street, formerly the United States Hotel. It had been 
leased and fitted up as a lecture-hall with chapel, recita- 
tion-rooms, library, and dormitories. Martin B. An- 
derson came this year as president of the university, 
and Ezekiel G. Robinson had come a few months before 
as professor of Biblical and Pastoral Theology. Both 
were men of mark, of wonderful intellectual ability — 
mental giants in their generation. Rev. V. R. Hotchkiss, 
while still continuing as pastor at Buffalo, New York, 
filled the professorship of Ecclesiastical History. He 
was a rare example of erudition in the pastorate. 

The seminary was fortunate in its library. It had 
secured the library of Dr. Augustus Neander, four thou- 
sand, six hundred volumes, consisting largely of the orig- 
inal sources and materials in the field to which his life 
was devoted. This was supplemented with many of the 
choicest works of modern authors in the same field; and 
also with the best fruits of modern evangelical learning 
in the department of Biblical exegesis and theology. 

On Thursday, September 15, 1853, we met Doctor 
Conant for the first time in his lecture-room, and entered 
upon the study of Hebrew and New Testament Greek. 
Eminent as a Greek scholar, he excelled in Oriental 
Philology and Hebrew. He was fifty years of age, and 
had the reputation of standing foremost among Hebrew 
scholars in America. He was a model of German thor- 
oughness and learning. 



62 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

I had a great desire to study Hebrew, and at the same 
time a great dread. Ministers had warned me of its dif- 
ficulties. To my surprise, I found the Hebrew the easiest 
language I had ever studied. I fell in love with it, and as 
I proceeded I became enthusiastic. I endeavored to 
master every step as I went along, and so difficulties 
vanished. New and clearer views of the language were 
ever presenting themselves, thus keeping up and in- 
creasing my interest. In reading I began to gather a 
vocabulary. Every word of the first three chapters of 
Genesis was stored in memory. Then came the book of 
Ruth, the prophecies of Joel and Xahum, and other por- 
tions of the Hebrew Scriptures. In literature the book 
of Job and the Canticles seemed to surpass anything I 
had ever studied. To spend my life upon the lan- 
guage and literature would have been my delight. It 
seemed to me then, as it still does, that the study of 
Hebrew is not sufficiently valued as a means of culture 
and mental discipline. Its imagery is unsurpassed; it 
is fitted to express the sublime, to utter massive ideas. 
In this respect it goes well with the Greek, which is 
suited to the finest shades of thought. 

Doubtless my studies and discipline in Latin and Greek 
did much to prepare me for the study of Hebrew. But the 
results were largely due to Doctor Conant himself. He 
was a remarkable teacher, and possessed great attractive 
power. I was given somewhat to independent investiga- 
tions, and sometimes had given offense to my instructors 
in differing from them in my conclusions. But Doctor 
Conant had such a thoroughness and extensiveness of 
knowledge that he gained my full confidence. Calm and 
full of his subject, he impressed us with his reserve power. 
How he opened the fields of research, and how inviting he 
made them appear! As a result there were no idlers in 
his class ; all were drawn on to do their utmost. 



FIRST YEAR IN SEMINARY 63 

Running parallel with our studies in Hebrew were the 
instructions in New Testament Greek. I had read much 
in the Greek Testament in a cursory way. I had used 
the received text and really knew no other. But when 
Doctor Conant put us upon the critical Greek text and 
introduced us to the origin and character of New Testa- 
ment Greek, and showed the use of the several elements 
in its structure for determining the meaning of words 
and phrases, we seemed to enter upon a new world. He 
had a most happy way of illustrating any particular usage 
by some striking example, which we would never forget. 

A weekly exercise in Greek or Hebrew exegesis was 
a marked feature in Doctor Conant's instructions. Some 
special passage of Scripture would be selected for exam- 
ination a week in advance. It gave an opportunity of 
doing the practical work of the exegete. Hours were 
generally spent in preparation for this exercise, and when 
it came, it was a time for earnest discussion. Nowhere 
did his pupils learn so much in the use of philological 
and exegetical weapons. For every statement made or 
point taken there must be a reason, and none but appar- 
ently good reasons were accepted. Each was put on his 
own mettle and each would do his best. Doctor Conant 
guided the exercise, throwing in an occasional question 
or remark, and all awaited eagerly his summing up at its 
close. He never appeared better than on such occasions. 
He bristled with facts and authorities. The different 
phases of the subject, and the ancient and modern views 
and discussions were at his tongue's end, with well- 
digested estimates and conclusions. 

His lectures and studies in sacred literature and in 
textual criticism aroused great interest. Long to be re- 
membered were the monthly meetings at his house for 
the examination of ancient versions and manuscripts. As 
he was then engaged in the work of revising the English 



64 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

Scriptures for the American Bible Union he had unusual 
facilities in the use of their valuable library. He intro- 
duced us into practical textual work. No wonder that 
we were devoted to him as a teacher. 

Thus passed the first year of my theological course 
with occasional exercises in the preparation of sermons 
under Doctor Robinson, and some preliminary lectures by 
Doctor Hotchkiss in Ecclesiastical History. The year 
was very full of work and a very profitable one. 

On Sundays I attended the First Baptist Church, of 
which Rev. Justin A. Smith was pastor. But in October 
he resigned to become editor of " The Standard " in 
Chicago. The pulpit was then supplied by President 
Martin B. Anderson and Prof. E. G. Robinson, both men 
of wonderful ability. The soul-stirring eloquence of 
Doctor Anderson I have never seen surpassed. Doctor 
Robinson was a model extemporaneous speaker. On 
Sunday evenings during the winter he gave a very able 
series of discourses on " Modern Skepticism." To have 
heard these two men was an important factor in our 
ministerial education. 

Sunday afternoons I often went to a mission school 
in the outskirts of the city. Once a month I supplied 
some church without a pastor. During the recess between 
the winter holidays I visited Conesus, some thirty miles 
south of Rochester, where my uncle, Lewis Clark, and 
cousins, John Magee and Mr. Henry, resided. While 
there I preached at the Baptist church at South Livonia, 
Rev. Mr. Livermore, pastor, and at the Methodist church 
in Conesus. This and other visits afterward to my 
relatives in Conesus are full of pleasant memories. 

My first year in Rochester Theological Seminary closed 
with the second week in July, 1854. I returned to South 
Orange, New Jersey, via Conesus, New York, where I 
made a short visit with my uncle and cousins. My vaca- 



FIRST YEAR IN SEMINARY 65 

tion was largely divided between South Orange and 
Newark. 

For three years I had occasionally preached, though 
without license, but with the approval of brethren and 
from convictions of duty. My pastor, Rev. H. C. Fish, 
and the First Baptist Church of Newark, thought it best 
to defer giving a formal license till the candidate was 
nearing the end of his preparatory studies. Accordingly, 
I was now asked to preach before the church. This I 
did twice: First, on Monday evening, July twenty-fifth, 
from 1 Peter 2:7, " Unto you therefore which believe 
he is precious " ; secondly, on Tuesday evening, August 
fifteenth, from Colossians 1:28: "Whom we preach, 
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wis- 
dom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ 
Jesus." The next evening the church voted me a license 
to preach. 

About the first of August, Rev. D. T. Morrell, the mis- 
sionary at the Fifth Ward Baptist Mission was taken 
sick, and on the first Sunday of the month I preached 
for him in the afternoon and evening. The Baptist City 
Mission Board engaged me to supply his place during my 
vacation. My labors were very pleasant and profitable. 
I formed some lasting friendships, and I have ever since 
felt a deep interest in the Fifth Baptist Church, which 
grew out of this mission. On the third of September 
I preached for the first time from the pulpit of the First 
Baptist Church, from John 9:4: "I must work the works 
of him that sent me, while it is day." It was Sunday 
morning in the old church on Academy Street, before an 
audience of eight hundred people. 

Early in the vacation I again met Miss Susan C. Fish, 
just before she left for a visit to her home in Halifax, 
Vermont. At her request I taught her Sunday-school 
class several Sundays. I found that she was a faithful 



66 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

teacher and an earnest Christian worker, greatly beloved 
by her scholars and successful in leading them to Christ. 
After her return to Newark I visited the school where 
she was lady principal, and also called upon her at her 
boarding-place. A better acquaintance resulted, which 
afterward through correspondence ripened into more than 
friendship. On the sixth of September I went to West- 
field to visit my grandmother, Phebe Baber Clark. I 
found her living on the borderland of heaven; and, 
indeed, she passed over into the better country on the 
twenty-ninth of the following June, aged ninety-five 
years, leaving the memories of a godly life as a rich 
heritage to her descendants. 



XII 

LAST YEAR IN THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 

THE theological course at that time lasted only two 
years, so in my second year at the seminary my time 
was very fully occupied. Special attention was given 
to those things which were most essential and funda- 
mental. Exercises in reading and exegesis of the Hebrew 
in the Old Testament and of the Greek in the New, were 
continued under Doctor Conant. Doctor Hotchkiss lec- 
tured on church history and pastoral theology, on ex- 
pository preaching, pastoral visiting, and systematic study 
after entering upon the active work of the ministry. He 
was himself a model in these respects, a rare example of 
erudition in the ministry. 

But the principal and most engrossing study of the 
year was Christian Theology, under Prof. Ezekiel G. 
Robinson. Doctor Robinson was a remarkable teacher. 
He had great power in arousing the dull student, in 
drawing out the latent energies of the modest, quiet stu- 
dent, setting his pupils to thinking, and arousing the 
enthusiasm of all to do their utmost. It was the second 
year of his instructions in the seminary. He was work- 
ing toward a system of theology. 

Side by side with his students he was an inquirer. 
In his Autobiography (p. 51), he says: "There was no 
text-book that I could conscientiously use. My own 
views were uncertain, and in no sense constituted a 
system. . . Reading day and night as rapidly and widely 
as I could, I wrote only such brief propositions as I 
could venture to dictate to the class, often rushing from 

67 



68 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

my desk to the classroom before the ink of the last 
sentence had become fairly dry. Around these proposi- 
tions we indulged in ample discussions; but I was as 
much an inquirer as any of my students." This very 
condition gave a freshness to his teaching. There was a 
great awakening of mind from the freedom of discussion, 
and the arousing of interest which in many cases was 
to continue through life. 

Doctor Robinson also gave one day each week to the 
instruction of the class in the preparation and delivery 
of sermons. He was himself a magnificent example of 
extemporaneous speaking, and this illustrated and en- 
forced his suggestions. On every student under him he 
left his impress. For years I could tell on hearing a 
young minister preach whether he had studied under 
Doctor Robinson. 

During the first part of this year I taught under the 
direction of Doctor Conant any who might need tutoring 
in Hebrew. I went out occasionally to preach, but at 
no time and in no way to interfere with my studies. 

My roommate this year was John Buttrick Jones, son 
of Rev. Evan Jones, the distinguished missionary among 
the Cherokee Indians for fifty years. John B. Jones 
was born on the mission field in 1824, and learned the 
Cherokee language as his vernacular, and when he be- 
came a missionary among the Cherokees in 1855 ne was 
the first white missionary who could preach to them 
without an interpreter. He was the most correct and 
intelligent speaker of the language then living. He edited 
" The Cherokee Messenger," and did much in the trans- 
lation of portions of the Bible, " Pilgrim's Progress," 
and sermons. Besides this, he rode in all parts of the 
nation and preached in churches, houses, and the open 
field. In July, 1861, he visited me at Elizabeth, and 
gave an interesting account of his mission. He had 



LAST YEAR IN SEMINARY 69 

been driven out by the United States agent, who was 
from the State of Georgia, and zealous for the South. 
Mr. Jones afterward returned to the Cherokee Nation, 
and continued to labor as chaplain of Indian soldiery, 
as Indian agent, and preacher till 1875, when he went 
to Denver, Colorado, for his health. There on the 
morning of June 13, 1876, as the first rays of the sun 
touched his window he exclaimed, " Oh, how glorious ! " 
and died. To the two Joneses, father and son, more 
than to the rest of the world besides, the Cherokees 
doubtless owe their Christianity and civilization. 

The spring vacation of 1855 I spent in New Jersey. 
I preached, two Sundays, at the Baptist church at Living- 
ston, a little settlement about eight miles northwest of 
Newark, over the second mountain. The Baptist church 
was the only one there, and a few years before had come 
out of the Northfield Church, a mile and a half distant. 
I was acquainted with the people of the vicinity, and 
they had known me from a boy. I received a call to 
become their pastor when I had completed my studies. 
I felt inclined to accept, and kept it under consideration 
for four months. After my graduation at Rochester 
there seemed to be a better opening at New Market, 
New Jersey, and I declined the call. I have always felt 
that I did wrong in giving the church so much encour- 
agement, and have greatly regretted it. Preachers and 
churches should be careful and conscientious in arran- 
ging and adjusting their pastoral relations. The system 
of candidating is bad enough at the best, but its evils are 
often increased by worldly method, a flirting spirit, or a 
want of frankness by one or by both parties. 

But the matter of greatest personal interest to me 
during this vacation was my engagement to Miss Susan C. 
Fish. During the year and a half previous I had met her 
three or four times with increasing favorable impressions, 



JO STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

and for six months our acquaintance had increased through 
correspondence. Early in this vacation on the evening 
of April third we became engaged to be married after 
the completion of my seminary course, to be ever faithful, 
kind, and loving to each other, and workers together for 
the Lord. In after years we looked back upon our in- 
experience, and expressed surprise upon an engagement 
upon so short an acquaintance. But I had not given 
much attention to such matters. I looked upon them 
philosophically and as a Christian. I did not believe in 
long courtships, nor in freaks of love. I had been too 
busy in work and study to give much time or thought 
to such matters, and had felt that when the proper time 
came the Lord would direct and provide. 

There were three things that I wished in one who was 
to be my companion and helper for life: that she should 
be younger than myself, in good health, and a devoted 
and efficient Christian worker in the Baptist denomina- 
tion. I found all these qualifications and more in Miss 
Fish. She supplemented certain deficiencies in myself. 
What she saw in me I cannot say. She had had good 
opportunities for marriage. A merchant and a physician 
had sought her hand. But she felt that she would prefer 
some relation where she could use her powers more 
actively and directly for Christ. Doubtless she thought 
that as a wife of a Christian minister she could find a 
sphere of usefulness which she desired. While there- 
fore we always advised against quick engagements, and 
people often advise against that which they do them- 
selves, we felt that ours was ordered of the Lord, and a 
service together of a long life in the Lord's work has 
confirmed us in this opinion. 

After three weeks' vacation I was back again on duty 
at Rochester. The last term of the year was a very busy 
one. There was advance work, then reviewing, the bring- 



LAST YEAR IN SEMINARY 7 1 

ing up of the odds and ends of the course, and preparing 
for graduation. As a commencement address I was 
assigned an exegetical essay on " Who speaks in Romans 
7 : 14-25 ? " I gave the theme extended study. Professor 
Conant and Prof. A. C. Kendrick held different and 
somewhat opposing views on this passage. I consulted 
them both, and carefully weighed the arguments of each, 
and examined the authorities that each gave me. I came 
to the conclusion that Paul spoke largely from his own 
experience and as a Christian. I prepared my essay 
accordingly, and gave it in the First Baptist Church of 
Rochester on Tuesday, July tenth, the day of my gradua- 
tion. It was substantially the view that is taken in my 
Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, and portions 
of it there appear. There were seventeen graduates, 
twelve of whom made addresses. Prof. V. R. Hotchkiss 
gave excellent parting words to the class. 

As I look back upon my theological course I regard 
it as the most important part of my preparatory studies 
for the ministry. I entered upon it better prepared and 
with better advantages than I had enjoyed in either my 
academic or my college studies. I had also learned 
better how to study, and could take hold of subjects with 
a maturer and better disciplined mind. My life-work 
was becoming to me more of a reality. I was beginning 
to see the hidden treasures to be found in the original 
Scriptures. I was brought into touch with the theological 
spirit of the age, and got a clearer view of Bible thought 
and doctrine. 

I found my knowledge of the English Bible of great 
advantage. After one of our class discussions one of 
my classmates asked me how I came to know so much of 
the Old Testament. I was surprised, and did not feel 
that I knew much. But I replied : " My mother in my 
childhood made me familiar with the Bible narratives, 



J2 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

and ever since I was eight years old I have been accus- 
tomed to read the Bible daily in course." I found some 
theological students who had never read the Bible 
through. It would have been of great practical advantage 
to us all to have had a year longer in the seminary and 
to have devoted considerable time, under such a Bible 
student and pastor as Doctor Hotchkiss, to the English 
Bible and to practical questions pertaining to ministerial, 
pastoral, and church work, to soul-saving, training of 
converts, and building up the Christian life. 

It was while I was in the seminary that I conceived the 
thought of writing a commentary on the Bible. At first 
it was much like a dream, but it grew upon me until it 
became a conviction and a reality. I found families very 
generally without Bible helps. Occasionally I would find 
the commentaries of John Gill or of Thomas Scott. In 
the libraries of ministers, I generally found Barnes' 
Notes, sometimes Ripley's Notes, the " Comprehensive 
Commentary," and some of the older commentaries. I 
felt that there was a need for a commentary on the 
critical text of the original, popular in form without dis- 
play of learning, in language that could be understood 
by all and suited for the family, for the Sunday-school, 
and for many preachers. I repeatedly spoke to pastors 
and others of the necessity of such a commentary, and 
the remark was often made that Baptists ought to have 
such a work. I felt that I must undertake it. I did 
not feel myself fitted or prepared to do it. I told no one 
of my convictions, and I do not know that any one 
thought of my engaging in such a work. But it was 
on my heart and often in my prayers. It seemed that 
God was calling me to it. 

I resolved to continue my studies, after leaving the 
seminary, in Hebrew and Greek and in the critical study 
of the Bible, and thus endeavor to prepare myself for 



LAST YEAR IN SEMINARY 73 

the exposition of the Scriptures. At that time I had 
no idea of doing less than commenting on the whole 
Bible if the Lord spared my life. Henry, Scott, and 
Adam Clarke had done it, and why might not I? Little 
did I realize the greatness of the work, and the changed 
conditions of the present day from those of former times, 
when there were fewer authorities to consult and fewer 
critical tools to use. Nor did I realize how great an 
age of Bible scholarship I was entering upon, and how 
much time and work would be necessary to keep abreast 
of the advance in the various lines of Bible study. Doubt- 
less it was best that I was ignorant of the greatness of 
the work and of the difficulties to be overcome in so 
great an undertaking. 



XIII 

FINDING A PASTORATE AND MARRIAGE 

UPON closing my seminary course, the question of a 
field for ministerial labor confronted me. Already 
a small country church at Livingston, New Jersey, had 
called me to become its pastor. A larger church with a 
thousand dollars salary in a growing town in New York 
State was open to me. Between these it did not take 
me long to decide. I strongly inclined to some field of 
labor in New Jersey, my native State. A small church 
too would give me more time for study. Besides, the 
day had not yet come for young men just from the 
seminary to seek large churches and influential positions. 
We had been taught, especially by Doctor Hotchkiss, to 
seek mission fields or small churches, to leave the larger 
ones to older and more experienced brethren, to take the 
lower round of the ladder and gradually ascend higher. 
Just at this time I received an invitation to visit New 
Market, New Jersey, with the view of the pastorate 
there. New Market was a village of about a hundred 
inhabitants surrounded by a beautiful farming country. 
The Baptist church, a vigorous child of the Samptown 
Church, had been three years before organized with fifty 
members. A year later Rev. Wm. D. Hires, of Samp- 
town, had become the pastor; and during his two years' 
ministry a house of worship, costing five thousand dol- 
lars, had been erected, and the membership of the church 
more than doubled. There was a Seventh-Day Baptist 
Church of about the same membership with a meeting- 
house just outside of the village. In the spring of this 
74 



FINDING A PASTORATE AND MARRIAGE J$ 

year, 1855, Mr. Hires resigned to accept the pastorate of 
the Baptist church at Freehold. 

On Thursday, July twelfth, I bade adieu to friends at 
Rochester, and arrived at my home in South Orange, 
New Jersey, the next day. There I passed the night, and 
on Saturday I went to New Market, where I preached 
on Sunday, July fifteenth, in the forenoon and the after- 
noon. By invitation of the committee of the church, I 
continued to supply the pulpit for a month. On the 
sixth of August I received a call to become the pastor of 
the church at the salary of five hundred dollars and a 
donation visit. 

Two things largely influenced the church to extend 
this call. The first was my half -hour sermons. A strong 
preacher had visited the church just before me. and 
had given very able sermons an hour long. Had he cut 
his discourses in two he would probably have received 
a call. The second thing was a funeral sermon I was 
unexpectedly called on the morning of July twenty-eighth 
to preach in the afternoon. Much interest, some anxiety, 
and sympathy was felt and expressed as I had never 
conducted such a service. But I was somewhat prepared. 
A year before this an experienced pastor advised me to 
prepare two or three funeral sermons, so as to have 
them in readiness for unexpected calls. I had followed 
his advice, and had made quite a full outline on 1 Peter 
1 : 24, 25, which I used on this occasion. A large congre- 
gation assembled, and the Lord helped me. This sermon, 
I was told, decided the minds of some of the hesitating 
ones to give me a call. In a church meeting, a few 
days later, a brother said that he was in favor of the 
young man who knew enough to stop when he got 
through. The call was unanimous. 

This seemed to me to be of the Lord. I returned 
home, and wrote to the Livingston Church, explaining 



y6 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

the circumstances, stating my convictions, and declining 
their call. I then accepted the call of the New Market 
Church, to begin the middle of September. 

Having found a field of labor, it seemed best to be 
married before beginning my pastorate, and I returned 
to my home in South Orange to prepare for that great 
event of my life. After two weeks I started for Halifax, 
Vermont, going to New York, thence by the night boat 
to Troy, then by cars to Bennington. There I took the 
stage over the Green Mountains to Wilmington. This 
was Thursday, August twenty-third. I recall how for 
several hours we slowly wended our way to the top of 
the mountain, and then in an hour we made a rapid 
descent. As the stageman drove his horses at high speed 
I was amazed, as I had always been taught to drive slowly 
down-hill. We swiftly turned corners and came close to 
precipices, down which we could look many feet into 
chasms below. To pitch over these might be instant 
death. I was far from being comfortable. I remon- 
strated to my fellow passengers. They told me the stage- 
driver was an expert and to be trusted. Many years 
after I learned among the hilly portions of New Jersey 
that a horse can be trained to run down-hill. We arrived 
safely at Wilmington. There I was met by Mr. Perry 
O. Niles, a future brother-in-law, who took me in his 
buggy to his home eight miles to the southeast. Miss 
Fish, my coming bride, was there to welcome me. We 
had passed through a shower of about ten minutes. How 
she had laughed as she saw the dark cloud and rain, 
and thought of my new experience with one of the 
sudden August showers among the Vermont hills. But 
umbrellas protected us, and we had but little discom- 
fort. Mrs. Louiza Niles, one of the best women, gave me 
hearty greeting and welcome, and the children gathered 
round to scan their future uncle. 



FINDING A PASTORATE AND MARRIAGE 



77 



The next day Mr. Niles took Miss Fish and myself 
to the home of my future father-in-law, Elder Samuel 
Fish. This was over two miles distant, much of the 
way up-hill and the ascent in some places very steep. 





HOME OF REV. SAMUEL FISH 



Halifax, the center of the town, consisted of a Baptist 
church, a schoolhouse, a deserted Congregational church, 
a store, and a few dwelling-houses. It was said to be 
over one thousand, nine hundred feet above sea-level. 
Five roads centered here, and just up the east road, 



78 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

a little ascending, stood the house of Elder Fish. From 
it one of the finest views westward that ever greets the 
eye could be seen. The Green Mountains, the adjacent 
hills and valleys, presented a panorama which my eye 
never tired in beholding. Here I remained for two 
weeks. 

Mr. Fish was pastor of the Baptist church, a man of 
strong convictions, deep piety, fervent in prayer, earnest 
and evangelistic in preaching. It was his native town, 
and for over forty years he had been preaching, and 
for thirty-five years as pastor. He was descended from 
the early settlers of New England. His father came with 
his young wife from Groton, Connecticut, about 1781, 
seeking a new home in the wilds of Vermont, and settled 
in the eastern part of the town of Halifax, and there 
built a log cabin. Mrs. Fish was a true pastor's wife 
full of Christian sympathy, and a helper in every good 
work. An older sister, Survier Packer, had been the 
first wife of Mr. Fish, but after four years of married 
life, had died leaving a son and daughter. The present 
wife was Bersheba Packer, who had been married to 
Mr. Fish thirty-nine years, and had given birth to eight 
sons and four daughters, nine of whom were then living. 
Mr. Fish was a farmer as well as a preacher. At no time 
had he received more than four hundred dollars salary 
a year. But with great frugality and industry and 
prudence had he and his wife reared their large family 
of children. Some of the Packer family, who had set- 
tled in Groton, Connecticut about 1651, had emigrated 
to Vermont and settled in Guilford, the next town north- 
east of Halifax, about 1762. From this Packer family 
have descended many who have been prominent in minis- 
terial and business circles. 

The next day after arrival I had my first conversation 
with Elder Fish. With him religion was the first thing. 



FINDING A PASTORATE AND MARRIAGE 79 

So he related to me his religious experience, and he 
wished to know mine. He told me how, when a young 
man, he danced and played cards, but in his nineteenth 
year he was deeply convicted of his sins in a great 
revival of religion in connection with the Baptist church 
in Guilford, which held its meetings in the schoolhouse 
in the Packer neighborhood. His father belonged there, 
and it was about six miles from his house. Many of the 
young were converted, and the Spirit wrought power- 
fully upon his soul. He struggled in agony against the 
claims of God until he resolved, saved or lost, to obey 
God. Then all his fears ceased, and calm peace flowed 
into his soul. The next thing was to be baptized and 
join the church, for he had promised to obey God. From 
that time he began to speak and pray in the schoolhouse 
meetings. His brethren thought he was called to preach, 
but while he often explained some portion of Scripture, 
he shrank from taking a text. The Spirit so impressed 
him that he must speak. Yet it was not till five years 
after his conversion that he ventured to take a text. 
This was in 1813, in a schoolhouse on Green River, in 
Guilford. This experience deeply impressed me that 
Elder Fish was truly a man of God. I briefly related 
my own conversion and call to preach the gospel. But 
how small and tame did my experience seem in com- 
parison with the one which I had just heard! 

On Thursday, the sixth of September, 1855, at eleven 
in the morning, I was married in this home to Miss 
Susan Caroline Fish by Rev. J. C. Foster, of Brattle- 
boro, Father Fish assisting. A large number of rela- 
tives and friends was present. At half past twelve 
o'clock my wife and I started for New Jersey by way of 
Brattleboro, where we stopped over night, and we arrived 
at our home in South Orange, New Jersey, on Saturday, 
September the eighth. Miss Fish was born May 31, 1833, 



80 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

and was then twenty-two years old. I was twenty- four. 
She inherited a good constitution, a healthy body, and a 
sound mind. In the midst of her mother's busy house- 
hold and her father's farming and preaching, she was 
reared with much work and little play. From her earliest 
remembrance life was real, and was lived in earnest. 
She sometimes remarked that she had had no childhood. 
She knew but little of the mirth and play of other children, 
but early learned much of the practical duties of life. 

She was quick to learn. There was a good school at 
the center of the town, a quarter of a mile away, and a 
select school during the autumn of each year, taught 
often by a college graduate. Her father took a great 
interest in these schools, and she made the most of their 
advantages. Afterward she attended a spring term at 
West Brattleboro in a school taught by Rev. R. Harris, 
and two spring terms at the academy of Shelburne Falls, 
Massachusetts. Thus she laid a good foundation in Eng- 
lish, and made considerable progress in Latin and French, 
and in some of the higher English branches. At the 
age of sixteen she began to teach a district school in her 
own town. She showed an aptness to teach, and for 
four years she taught summer and winter schools in the 
towns of Halifax and Guilford. Then she taught three 
years in Newark, New Jersey, the last year being lady 
principal of one of the public schools. She loved her 
work and was beloved by her pupils, and she could 
cheerfully have made teaching her life-work had Provi- 
dence so directed. 

She possessed a strong and well-developed religious 
nature. Honesty, truthfulness, love of the right and 
hatred of the wrong were prominent elements in her 
character. Conscience played a ruling part in her life. 
She was early the subject of deep religious convictions. 
Conscious that she was a sinner and had need of a 



FINDING A PASTORATE AND MARRIAGE 8 1 

Saviour, she sought Christ and his salvation in her child- 
hood. During a great revival in connection with her 
father's labors in 1842-1843, she had deep religious ex- 
periences, but it was not till she was sixteen years of 
age that she was baptized by her father, on a profession 
of her faith in Jesus as her Saviour, and united with the 
church. 

She early became interested in foreign missions, through 
the reading of the " Memoir " of Ann H. Judson and 
other missionary literature. She fondly hoped that she 
might be a missionary some day. While teaching at 
Newark, New Jersey, she had an opportunity of enter- 
ing the Grande Ligne Mission as a teacher, but it did 
not seem to be best at that time. Her interest in mis- 
sions never left her, and she has never ceased to pray 
and labor for them. Her consistent Christian life, her 
faithful and personal work for Christ, her ability as a 
teacher and a leader, her humility and self-forgetfulness, 
and her love and interest in everything pertaining to 
church work and mission work, made her the best of 
pastor's wives. 



XIV 

FIRST PASTORATE. 1 85 5- 1 859. NEW MARKET 

ANEW life seemed before me. The anticipations of 
years were beginning to be realized. On Wednes- 
day, September 12, 1855, Mrs. Clark and I came to New 
Market and began to board with the family of Mr. 
Ephraim J. Runyan, the leading deacon of the church, 
and superintendent of the Sunday-school. On Sunday, 
September sixteenth, I preached my first sermon as pas- 
tor from 2 Corinthians 12: 14: "I seek not yours, but 
you." It seemed to me that I was entering on a work 
from which an angel might shrink. Eternity and the 
worth of immortal souls rose vividly before me. The 
pastor should live in constant touch with each of these. 
" As against his study door he should hear the surges 
of eternity, hour by hour, breaking in their awful and 
incessant roar." I determined to labor as if I expected 
to spend my life with this people. 

I found my congregation to consist of twenty families 
in the village and twenty-four families, mostly farmers, 
outside of the village. Six of these families were con- 
nected with other denominations, but took sittings in 
our church and attended most of our services. Besides 
these there were a number of families both in the 
village and among the farmers who scarcely ever attended 
religious meetings of any kind. My first work was to 
get acquainted with every man, woman, and child of 
my congregation. My wife was of great assistance in 
this. Every one gave us welcome. But many of the 
children would get out of the way when they saw the 
82 



FIRST PASTORATE 83 

pastor approaching. But they soon found that we loved 
children, and it was not long before they too welcomed 
our coming. 

The first thing of public interest was my ordination 
to the gospel ministry as pastor of the New Market Bap- 
tist Church. This took place on the third of October, 
when a council convened, and after the usual examina- 
tion and approval, proceeded to ordination. Rev. C. 
C. William, of Plainfield, read the Scriptures; Rev. Will- 
iam B. Tolan, of Rahway, prayed ; Rev. George Kempton, 
of New Brunswick, preached from Ephesians 3:8, " The 
Wealth of Christ"; Rev. S. J. Drake, of Plainfield, 
offered the ordaining prayer; Rev. William Maul, of 
Samptown, gave the hand of fellowship; Rev. H. C. 
Fish, of Newark, gave the charge to the candidate; and 
Rev. G. P. Nice, of Somerville, gave the charge to the 
church. 

As I entered upon my pastorate I saw the necessity of 
mapping out and systematizing my work. I had two 
sermons a week to prepare, a prayer-meeting to conduct, 
pastoral calls and family visits to make, besides incidental 
work and unexpected demands on my time. My Sunday 
preparations would require much time in my study. I 
must have my hours for devotion and for private and 
general reading. I also wished to pursue a definite line 
of study in the original Scriptures. 

The first difficulty I met was our social family visits. 
My congregation was a very social people. All the 
families wished the pastor and his wife to visit them 
not only once, but often. I had no horse and carriage. 
But all we had to do was to name the day, and the 
farmers would come for us and return us home after 
the visit. To my surprise, we would be sent for in the 
forenoon and returned in the evening, and thus the whole 
day would be consumed. I explained to the people that 



84 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

I needed several hours each day for study, that if I came 
in the morning I must return in time for study in the 
evening, but that I would prefer to come for the after- 
noon and evening, reserving the morning for study. The 
latter became our more general practice. On an average 
we made about two family visits a week, but in holiday 
and strawberry seasons we were out almost every day. 

Sometimes two or three other families would be in- 
vited to visit with us. Thus our social intercourse was 
widened, and we got an insight into the relation of 
families as well as of individuals. Our conversation 
was often on the needs of the church and congregation, 
of the Sunday-school and the prayer-meeting, on doc- 
trines and ordinances, Christian living and worldly 
amusements. At one of their early social gatherings we 
discussed the importance of paying the debt of one thou- 
sand, five hundred dollars on our house of worship, and 
plans were started by which the amount was subscribed 
and paid within a few months. At these gatherings we 
could often speak a word of counsel or of encouragement 
to some brother or sister, or a personal word to an uncon- 
verted friend. We generally closed our visit with read- 
ing the Scriptures and prayer. 

Having fixed my time for family visits, I arranged my 
other work about as follows: Mondays I gave to in- 
cidental things and miscellaneous duties. On Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I devoted four hours 
each morning to my study, two or three hours each 
afternoon to pastoral calls except when engaged in family 
visiting, and my evenings, when not otherwise engaged, 
to general reading. Saturday was given to completing 
my Sunday preparations. During the winter season I 
preached Sunday morning and evening; during the sum- 
mer, mornings and afternoons. Sunday-school was in 
the afternoon. 



FIRST PASTORATE 85 

The preparation of my sermons cost me much labor. 
My morning discourse I wrote quite fully. It generally 
took three hours for three or four days. My second 
discourse I prepared in brief, with the heads of the 
principal divisions and words indicating trains of thought. 
I thus had an hour for special study at least four days 
in the week. In Hebrew I began to study the Psalms, 
and after them the book of Job. In Greek I began 
with Romans and the Epistles. 

Of pastoral duties I felt I knew but little. I was 
wholly inexperienced, and often felt ashamed of my 
ignorance. It was difficult for me to talk personally to 
individuals on their soul's interests. Yet I felt it my 
duty to preach, not only publicly, but from house to 
house. So I began to make pastoral calls from a sense 
of duty. Mrs. Clark was of great assistance. She 
could, more easily than I, introduce subjects of per- 
sonal religion and make personal appeals. An incident 
occurred which greatly impressed and encouraged me. 
In one of my calls upon a family, before leaving I 
exhorted an unconverted daughter to seek the Saviour. 
This through the blessing of God resulted in her conver- 
sion. In this I saw the Lord's approval and blessing. 

I felt I needed instruction by some experienced pastor 
both as to pastoral calls and as to conducting prayer- 
meetings. I very naturally sought the advice of my 
brother-in-law, Rev. H. C. Fish, of Newark, who was 
successful in both of these lines of work. He took me 
with him in his calls on the sick, the afflicted, and the 
inquiring. He carried with him sunshine; the Spirit 
seemed to pervade his person and mellow his words; 
his very presence seemed a benediction. He had a pleas- 
ant greeting and a kind word for all; and was very 
happy in quoting fitting passages of Scripture. His stay 
was short, and a brief sprayer closed the interview. 



86 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

How pleased and grateful were individuals and families 
to have him come ! It was like an angel's visit. 

I came very soon to make a distinction between family- 
visits and pastoral calls. The former were upon invitation 
and were largely social, and Mrs. Clark and I were 
generally together. The latter were generally without 
invitation and were principally religious, and I almost 
always conducted them alone. I put my family visits 
under the charge of Mrs. Clark, who arranged the time 
and place. In my pastoral calls I endeavored to treat the 
rich and poor alike, and if I gave any preference it was to 
the poor, for they seemed often to need my attentions more 
than the rich. I tried to treat all classes with the utmost 
impartiality. I kept a roll of all members of my church 
and congregation. If new families or persons came into 
my church or congregation I added their names to the roll. 
I also divided New Market and the vicinity into districts, 
and ascertained the religious condition and connection 
of every family in each district. I called on all families 
that were not connected with any church, as well as upon 
our own families, and gave attention to non-churchgoers. 
I sought to give my conversation a religious turn and, 
if circumstances were favorable, offered prayer before 
leaving. I generally had tracts with me, suited to dif- 
ferent classes, which I gave to individuals. My calls 
were generally brief, and necessarily so where the people 
were scattered over the country. I found no time for 
gossip, and the people did not expect it. I often walked 
five or six miles in an afternoon in making a few calls. 
This, however, united good bodily exercise with an oppor- 
tunity of doing good. Sometimes I was asked why I 
made my calls so short. I had an answer which I often 
gave : I said I remembered reading when a boy a sentence 
in Webster's Spelling Book, which I had never forgotten, 
" Short visits make long friends." 



FIRST PASTORATE 87 

One of the first things that required attention was the 
missionary and benevolent work of the church. The 
people were generally friendly to the several missionary 
societies, but there was no stated time for giving. There 
were some generous givers, but collections were taken 
for the missionary societies only when agents came and 
presented their cause, and many gave not so much from 
principle as from the impulse of the moment. 

A monthly missionary concert was started for the 
second service of the first Sunday of each month. As 
the field was the world we took it in our survey at these 
meetings — Home and Foreign Missions, Publication, 
State, Education, and Bible work. Three weeks after 
my ordination I preached on proportionate and systematic 
giving from I Corinthians 16:1, 2: "Upon the first 
day of the week let every one of you lay by him in 
store, as God hath prospered him," etc. At the next 
church meeting a committee was appointed to prepare 
and submit a plan for benevolent contributions. This 
was submitted at the church meeting following and 
approved. The year was divided into six parts of two 
months each, and it was voted that on a stated Sunday 
of every other month a missionary sermon should be 
preached by the pastor, or by an agent if present, and an 
effort be made for one of the following objects: Foreign 
Mission, Home Mission, Publication Society, Bible Cause, 
State Convention, and New Jersey Baptist Education 
Society. At first this met with some slight opposition, 
which soon subsided; and the same plan substantially 
has continued in the church for over forty years. The 
missionary spirit of the church was broadened and deep- 
ened, and the benevolent contributions were increased, 
and they became a part of church life. 

Through family visiting and pastoral calls I became 
acquainted with the people generally within the area of 



88 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

my congregation. Among non-churchgoers I found some 
who felt that, because they were poor, they would not be 
welcomed at our meetings. I told them that Jesus said, 
" The poor have the gospel preached to them," and that 
the common people heard him gladly; that we as Chris- 
tians were Christ's representatives, and it was our object 
to reach all classes and conditions of people; that we 
wished them to attend our meetings, be converted, and 
live Christian lives. I spoke to my brethren about them. 
Some of them came, were welcomed, and were after- 
ward converted and united with our church. There were 
a few colored people in the vicinity. I did not pass 
them by in my pastoral calls. Only one of them gener- 
ally attended our church service. But after a time it 
was not uncommon to see about a dozen colored persons 
at our second Sunday service. 

As a further result of my pastoral work, I learned the 
doctrinal views, religious conditions, and needs of my 
people. One of my predecessors on this field was Rev. 
Lebbeus Lathrop, who for twenty-one years, from 1819 
to 1840, was pastor of the Samptown Church, the mother 
church. Father Lathrop, as he was called, was greatly 
beloved and of great influence among the people. He 
was an extreme Calvinist, and it was said that nothing 
but his fervent piety and his love for souls kept him 
from going off with the Old School movement, that rup- 
tured many churches in New Jersey in 1835. Under his 
preaching many of my members had been early trained. 
To them God's sovereignty, election, and the perseverance 
of the saints were the strong meat of the gospel which 
they relished. If these were not kept prominently in 
view, there was something lacking in their spiritual diet. 
Then there were younger members who needed instruc- 
tion in doctrine and practice. Besides, many of the con- 
verts who had been received into the church the year 



FIRST PASTORATE 89 

before my coming were ignorant and unmindful of their 
obligations to Christ and the church. I therefore preached 
a series of sermons on the leading Articles of Faith in the 
New Hampshire Confession, which had been adopted by 
our church. This appeared to be productive of good ; and 
there seemed to be a general admission, at least, that I 
was sound in the faith. 

Notwithstanding, some time after this there appeared 
to be a desire that the doctrine of election be made more 
prominent. Accordingly, , I preached on i Peter 1 : 2 : 
" Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the 
Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedi- 
ence and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." I 
dwelt upon four points: (1) That the doctrine of election 
is taught in the Scriptures. (2) What is the doctrine 
thus taught? (3) What is the relation of this doctrine to 
other parts of the gospel system? (4) Its tendencies. 
Among other things, I emphasized the statement of 
Peter, that election was " according to the foreknowledge 
of God." But as we can conceive of no time when 
God did not foreknow, nor when he had no plans, so we 
are not to put either his knowledge or his decrees before 
the other. We are not to say that God decreed because 
he foreknew, nor that he foreknew because he decreed. 
Both knowledge and decrees were coexistent in the mind 
of God. I noticed also that the use of means was an 
appointment of God, that freedom to choose is distinctly 
taught in God's word, and that election really involved 
both of these. I accepted God's sovereignty and man's 
free agency as Bible truths, and while with my finite 
mind I could not solve all the difficulties, I felt assured 
that they were plain and harmonious in the all-knowing 
mind of God. This discourse appeared to be favorably 
received by all, and during my stay at New Market I had 
no further call to preach on the subject. 



90 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

And so the first year of my pastorate passed. It had 
been a busy year. I had gained some experience and 
sown gospel seed both publicly and from house to house, 
but had seen but little fruit. My people were very kind, 
and when we began housekeeping, February 6, 1856, in 
the second house north of our church, they gave us eighty- 
eight dollars and about fifteen dollars in provisions. 
Not a week passed without receiving tokens of their 
kindness. The Sunday-school was better than ever be- 
fore. Our public services were well attended, and the 
congregations were attentive to the word. I felt encour- 
aged, but longed to see the salvation of the Lord among 
our people. 

During the year I had joined the Ministers' Confer- 
ence of the East New Jersey Baptist Association, and 
soon after became its secretary. This was of great profit 
to me, both because of the literary exercises and practical 
discussions, and also because of the intimate acquaintance 
I formed with ministerial brethren. Particularly was 
this true of Rev. James F. Brown, of Scotch Plains, with 
whom I formed a lifelong friendship. Living six miles 
from each other, we often exchanged pulpits, and our 
families exchanged visits. In May I attended the Bap- 
tist Anniversaries in New York City, and got a wider 
view of the work of the Baptist denomination and a 
larger acquaintance with the Baptist brotherhood. The 
meetings were of great interest, especially those of the 
Missionary Union, in which were discussed questions 
pertaining to missionary methods and work. On July 
twenty-first Mrs. Clark and I started on a three weeks' 
vacation for Halifax, Vermont. We were greatly re- 
freshed with meeting with friends, and enjoyed the 
bracing air and beautiful scenery of the Green Mountain 
State. On August thirteenth and fourteenth we attended 
the Amherst Commencement and our first class reunion. 



FIRST PASTORATE 9 1 

My vacation gave me opportunity not only for recrea- 
tion, but also for reviewing my year's work at New 
Market, and forming plans for the coming year. It re- 
sulted also in material advantage to my library, which 
was quite limited. I had but few books besides those I 
absolutely needed in my college and theological studies. 
But during my vacation I received an introduction by 
letter to Mr. Harris, of Detroit, Michigan, editor of 
the " Michigan Christian Herald," and I became the 
New Jersey correspondent of that paper, with the privi- 
lege of noticing new publications. I continued this for 
several years, even after the paper was merged into 
" The Standard " at Chicago. I devoted my Mondays to 
this work, and wrote to the " Herald " once a month. 
I greatly enlarged my library with such works as 
Olshausen's " Commentaries," Gieseler's " Church His- 
tory," Hagenbach's " History of Doctrines," Smith's 
" Dictionary of the Bible " in four volumes, Doctor 
Conant's " Job," Guthrie's " Gospel in Ezekiel," Fish's 
" Masterpieces of Pulpit Eloquence," and many other 
volumes. I spent also about fifty dollars a year in period- 
icals and books. Later I received presents of Alford, 
Bengel, portions of Lange, and Sophocles' " Greek Lexi- 
con of the Roman and Byzantine Periods." Thus I was 
gathering helps for the preparation of sermons and tools 
for the critical study of the word. During my New 
Market pastorate I continued to study the original Scrip- 
tures. 

I entered upon the second year of my pastorate with 
much concern for the salvation of souls. It seemed to 
me that I had failed thus far in reaching the unsaved. 
Very soon, however, the Lord gave me a token of 
his favor and an encouragement to persevere in labor. 
Two professed conversion, the result of personal appeals, 
and I baptized them on the thirteenth of December, 1856. 



92 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

These were my first baptisms. I spoke to the deacons 
about starting extra meetings. But the church had had 
such an experience two years before, when many were 
baptized only to fall back into indifference or into such 
a life as to necessitate exclusion, that they were afraid. 
And so with a heavy heart I labored on as best I could, 
and took my case to God. 

The first Sunday of January, 1857, came, a beautiful 
morning. I had prepared a sermon, but I could not 
preach it as I had prepared it. Never had the church 
rested so heavily on my heart. Weighed down in humility 
before God and with a sense of responsibility as an am- 
bassador of Christ, I went to my pulpit and announced 
my text, Romans 3 : 19 : " That every mouth may be 
stopped, and all the world may become guilty before 
God." From the depths of my heart I addressed the 
various classes before me. A deep solemnity pervaded 
the congregation. As I closed I said : " I take the liberty, 
as our second service is this afternoon, to invite any who 
desire to pray with me for the church and the salvation 
of souls, to come to my house this evening." 

After the service a little boy ten years of age told 
his brother that he felt himself a lost sinner, and going 
home weeping, he asked his mother to pray for him. 
The father and mother prayed for him. He was con- 
verted, and afterward became an active church-member 
and a useful worker in the Sunday-school. 

The evening came, and about fifty gathered at my 
house for prayer. They were mostly from the Sunday- 
school. There was a mingling of contrition, tears, and 
humble confessions. Thirteen unconverted persons arose, 
asking the prayers of Christians. At the close I gave an 
opportunity for others to ask for similar meetings at 
their houses. Two invitations were given for the week. 
Thus I did not insist on extra services, but made them 



FIRST PASTORATE 93 

purely voluntary, as any might request a service at their 
homes. For several weeks we had two or three of these 
meetings weekly ; I also held at my house a weekly inquiry 
meeting. As a result, the church was greatly benefited, 
and fifteen persons between the ages of ten and thirty 
years professed conversion. Ten of these I baptized on 
the eleventh of April, 1857. Three joined other churches. 
So far as I know, all of these converts ever after con- 
tinued faithful. Some of the boys became prominent 
members and officers in the church. 

The baptism was on Saturday afternoon in a little 
water below the pond, by the bridge on the main road 
which ran south through the village. The next day 
was quite unpleasant, with a gentle mist or rain. About 
an hour before the afternoon service I saw two strangers, 
a man and woman, drive up in a wagon, and enter the 
meeting-house. Their coming at such a time and in the 
rain arrested my attention. I went over to see them. I 
found them, a man and wife, who lived far from the 
traveled road, and had thus escaped my attention in my 
family calls. Formerly in another locality they had at- 
tended church, but for several years since coming to their 
present place they had been non-churchgoers. But the 
day before as they were riding through the village they 
came to the bridge just as the baptism was going on. 
They were deeply impressed by what they saw and 
heard. They felt that they were great sinners, and 
wished to live a better life. I pointed them to the 
Saviour, and prayed for them. In a few months I had 
the joy of welcoming them to baptism and to the church. 
They became decided and active Christians. 

And so the second year of my first pastorate passed, 
more fruitful than the first, and enriched with experi- 
ences which were to contribute to my future usefulness. 
Its close was rendered memorable by the birth of our 



94 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

firstborn, Carrie Louise, on Thursday morning, August 
20, 1857. I took no vacation this year. Rev. H. C. 
Fish, of Newark, however, came and supplied my pulpit 
one Lord's Day. 

The third year of my first pastorate began with small 
encouragement. The spiritual gatherings of the prece- 
ding year had been mostly from the Sunday-school. The 
large part of the congregation had been unreached. The 
people were generally prosperous, and prosperity had 
to some extent drawn them from God. " The greed 
of gain amounted to a mania; and it filled not only the 
commercial centers, but the villages — in fact, the whole 
land. Speculation was at fever heat, and the wildest 
projects turned men's brains and drove them recklessly 
on in the race for riches." Naturally, there followed 
frauds, defalcations, and failures, until finally the finan- 
cial disorders which had lasted many weeks reached a 
crisis on the fourteenth of October, 1857. Then as with 
the twinkling of an eye golden dreams vanished, and 
riches took to themselves wings and flew away. 

The wheels of industry stood still. Men by thousands 
were without business and without employment. They 
had time to think. God was teaching them their help- 
lessness and their need of him. There came a call for 
prayer which stirred the land, and the response was well- 
nigh universal. Mr. Lanpier, a down-town city mission- 
ary in New York, was the first to give a public utterance 
to the call. He made an appointment for a weekly noon- 
day prayer-meeting in the old Dutch Reformed Church 
in Fulton Street. A few came — earnest, hungering souls 
like himself. The next week a larger number assem- 
bled, and the Business Men's Prayer-meeting began to 
attract attention. A call came for a daily meeting at 
noon. It was received with enthusiasm, crowds came; 
three meetings were held in the same building at the same 



FIRST PASTORATE 95 

hour. Meetings were multiplied in other parts of the city. 
The movement spread to Boston and Philadelphia and 
other cities, until there was scarcely an important town 
in our country that had not its daily prayer-meeting. 
The joy of God's salvation was restored to Christians, 
and sinners in multitudes were converted. 

A revival was suddenly upon us, emphatically a prayer- 
meeting revival. Pastors were active, but laymen were 
largely the workers. It reached all classes. Even the 
secular press became religious workers. The telegraph 
was brought into requisition. News of the great work 
in all parts of the country was daily reported. Religious 
subjects were the most interesting topics of discussion. 

The people of our little village and church were slow 
to believe all that they heard of the wonderful work of 
God. Could it be genuine; or was it the work and 
excitement of men? Some went to New York and 
visited the Fulton Street Prayer-meeting, and reported 
that there was deep feeling and that earnest requests 
for prayers abounded — prayers for friends, churches, and 
communities ; and many testified to answers of prayer. 

Thus began 1858. I desired to fall into the great 
prayer current that was rising in our country. I talked 
about it, and urged a daily prayer-meeting. But the 
conservative brethren of our church were not in readi- 
ness. They were waiting for some manifest token of 
the Spirit to indicate duty. Besides, they were slow to 
unite in union meetings with our Seventh-Day brethren. 
The two churches were not antagonistic, but they kept 
quite apart in their work. 

January and February passed with but little increase 
of interest. March came. The wave of salvation was 
moving on, reaching the towns and villages of our State, 
but it had not reached us. In great humility and 
in tears I went to my pulpit Sunday morning, March 



96 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

fourteenth, and preached from Jeremiah 14: 7-9, 20: " O 
Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou 
it for thy name's sake; for our backslidings are many; 
we have sinned against thee," etc. I entered deeply into 
the spirit of my text, and applied the thought to myself 
and to my people. It seemed just the prayer we needed 
to offer. On the following Wednesday afternoon and 
evening, March seventeenth, occurred our annual dona- 
tion visit. There was a large attendance from our con- 
gregation and a number from the Seventh-Day church. 
The great revival was naturally the theme of conversa- 
tion. It was felt that a daily union prayer-meeting should 
be started in our village. The Seventh-Day meeting- 
house had been moved into the village, and meetings 
could alternate between the two meeting-houses. A com- 
mittee was appointed to see parties not present and mem- 
bers of other churches, and arrange, if thought best, for 
a daily prayer-meeting. The committee did its work 
quickly, and reported favorably. 

The meetings began on Monday evening, March twenty- 
second, with a large attendance, and continued every eve- 
ning for ten weeks. During this time there were no 
formal sermons preached except at the regular weekly 
services. The evening meetings were generally led by 
one of the pastors. After singing and prayer a brief pas- 
sage of Scripture was read and enforced in a five-minute 
address. The meeting was then thrown open to any 
one who would take part, and the time was generally 
well occupied in prayer, remarks, and singing. 

Intense interest was manifested and maintained. 
Everybody attended the services, which were charac- 
terized by fervent prayers, earnest exhortations, and much 
personal work. The Spirit's power seemed to come like 
waves of the sea, advancing and receding. For two or 
three nights decrease; this would lead to more earnest 



FIRST PASTORATE 97 

prayer, and the interest would return with increased 
force. More than once a storm came which made our 
attendance small. But the people were praying at their 
homes, and with the clearing heavens they would return 
with renewed energy. 

There were marked answers to prayers. Sometimes 
while we were yet speaking, the Lord heard. Yet in 
some instances the last were first and the first last. Some 
whom we were least expecting were the first to come ; 
and some, the children of many prayers, were among 
the last to be reached. Indeed, some of the latter did 
not come fully out till a year or two later. 

The meetings continued with unflagging interest till 
the end of May. It was noticeable how people could 
attend if their hearts were moved. Many who previously 
had been unable to come out evenings on account of poor 
eyesight, poor health, evening chores, or domestic duties, 
could now attend without intermission. During April 
and May, while evenings were growing shorter, and plow- 
ing, planting, and spring work demanded attention, the 
farmers somehow got through their work in the daytime 
and attended the evening meetings. Thus we continued 
until May thirtieth, when our daily prayer-meetings were 
brought to a close. In reviewing the work, it was found 
that seventy persons had professed conversion, one for 
each of the seventy evenings that the meetings had been 
held. Most of these united with the churches represented 
in the meetings, our church receiving the largest num- 
ber. A thanksgiving service was held, of praise to God 
for the blessings received and the great work he had 
wrought in our community. During the summer union 
meetings were continued on Saturday and Sunday eve- 
nings. 

I took a vacation of three weeks in August, and with 
Mrs. Clark and Carrie, now a year old, visited our friends 



98 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

in Halifax, Vermont. While there I preached several 
times for Father Fish in the church and in two school- 
houses. On Sunday, September fifth, I was back in my 
own pulpit, and began the fourth and last year of my 
pastorate at New Market. 

My work now consisted largely in training the young 
converts, in supplementing the work of our extra meet- 
ings, and in building up the spiritual interest of the 
church. A number who had professed conversion had 
not yet made an open profession, but were led in due time 
to unite with the church. There was also a considerable 
number who were in different grades of religious experi- 
ence and needed guidance. Others still manifested anx- 
iety for their soul's welfare, and some were hardened. 
There were thus new demands upon the pulpit as well as 
upon pastoral and personal labor. My days were full, 
and time passed swiftly. Fruit did not mature quickly. 
Five years later there was another revival, and I was 
told that about twenty traced back their experiences 
to these days. But nothing of marked interest occurred 
during this winter. Some union meetings were held, 
which resulted in good to the churches, and especially to 
those who had begun a new life. 

As the spring drew near I became convinced that I 
could do more effective work in some other field. My 
church was made up of excellent brethren, but with some 
of them I did not see eye to eye as to methods and work. 
I could not act with the freedom I liked. Notwithstand- 
ing, my experience here was very valuable. I learned 
patience, and how to deal with men, and to look con- 
stantly to the Lord for guidance. I was being prepared 
for other fields of labor. 

Just at this time I was invited to visit the Baptist 
church at Elizabeth, which resulted in a call to be pastor. 
The community was conservative and largely Presby- 



FIRST PASTORATE 99 

terian. The Baptists were a feeble folk. The church 
was organized in 1843, an d during the sixteen years 
of its existence there had been six pastors. All of these 
had remained less than two years each, except Rev. J. H. 
Waterbury, who had labored from March, 185 1, till 
near the time of his death in January, 1855. The four 
years that succeeded this were among the darkest of the 
church's history. Short pastorates, internal troubles, and 
want of financial resources were productive of weakness 
and discouragement. There were times when it was 
seriously discussed whether it was not best to disband, 
sell the property, pay off debts, and refund the surplus 
to the original donors. A new and better location for the 
church had been secured during Mr. Waterbury 's time, 
but his death had frustrated his plans for paying for 
it. With his death also ended the assistance which the 
church had received from the New Jersey Baptist State 
Convention. Thrown upon its own resources, the church 
struggled along for three years, at times almost ready 
to die. The old property was sold, and while they could 
still worship in it for a time, the church would soon be 
without a meeting-house. Almost in despair, the church 
at length authorized one of the leading members, accord- 
ing to his best judgment, to repair one of the houses on 
the new property in Jersey Street for a parsonage, to 
sell or remove the other buildings, and put up a lecture- 
room on the rear of the lot. This he did very econom- 
ically in 1858, but incurred a debt of three thousand 
dollars on the property. 

It was a serious question whether or not to make Eliza- 
beth my field of labor. The Baptist State Convention 
regarded it a discouraging and unproductive field for 
Baptists. Mr. D. M. Wilson, the President of the Con- 
vention, told me that Elizabeth did not appear to be good 
soil for Baptists, or else the Baptists there were not of the 



100 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

right sort. He advised me not to accept the call, and 
added, " You will not stay there six months." 

Yet Elizabeth was really an important field. The city 
was taking on new life. It numbered almost fourteen 
thousand inhabitants, and business men from New York 
and Brooklyn were seeking residences there. Baptists 
would naturally like to find a Baptist church. It seemed 
necessary that some one should take charge of the 
church, ready for hard and patient work, and willing to 
stay long enough to lay good and deep foundations. This 
I felt inclined to do. But my special drawing toward 
the church was on account of Mr. Waterbury, who had 
done so much for me while at Amherst College. He was 
laid aside by sickness, and death came when success 
seemed ready to crown his labors at Elizabeth. I was 
deeply impressed that I should take up the work that 
he had laid down, and carry it forward by the blessing 
of God toward completion. Accordingly, on May 28, 
1859, I resigned my pastorate at New Market and ac- 
cepted the call from Elizabeth, my year to begin with the 
first of June. The salary was to be substantially the 
same as that at New Market. While this was sufficient 
among a well-to-do and generous people made up largely 
of farmers, it was hardly adequate for comfortable living 
in the city. 

On Sunday, June fifth, I preached my farewell dis- 
course at New Market. It was nearly four years since I 
first preached here on the first Sunday after my gradua- 
tion at Rochester. Since then I had preached over four 
hundred sermons, besides giving many addresses, made 
over four hundred family visits and over a thousand 
pastoral calls. Twice the Lord had revived his people, 
resulting in the salvation of many souls. All of these 
with scarce an exception were remaining steadfast. Be- 
sides my usual preparations for the pulpit and my private 



FIRST PASTORATE 10 I 

studies, I had written a monthly letter to the " Michigan 
Christian Herald " ; I had also prepared an article on 
" The Evangelical Armenians of Turkey, the Reformers 
of the East," which appeared in " The Christian Review " 
of January, 1859. I had long been interested in the mis- 
sion among this people by the American Board. Thus 
my years had been busy ones, attended with the loving- 
kindness of the Lord. 



XV 

PASTORATE AT ELIZABETH. 1 859- 1 868. 

I ENTERED upon my pastorate in Elizabeth in great 
humility. The greatness of the work, the difficulties 
of the field, the weakness of the church, and, most of all, 
my own weakness, engrossed my heart and well-nigh 
overwhelmed me. With such feelings I preached my 
first discourse as pastor, Sunday, June twelfth, from 
2 Corinthians 4:7: " But we have this treasure in earthen 
vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, 
and not of us." I asked the people for their sympathy 
and prayers, and besought them not to think less of the 
treasure because of the weakness of the vessel of clay that 
bore it. 

The pastors of the city showed me great kindness. 
Soon after my coming they called and invited me to join 
the Ministers' Meeting. I accepted the invitation, and 
during the nine years of my pastorate I scarcely omitted 
a session. My intercourse with my ministering brethren 
was exceedingly pleasant, and our meetings were inter- 
esting and profitable. 

My first work as pastor was to become acquainted 
with the membership of the church and with the people 
who might be regarded as naturally belonging to the con- 
gregation. I found that quite a number of Baptists had 
moved into the city from time to time, and had become 
identified with the Presbyterian congregations, and their 
children had become members of the church. Elizabeth 
was a very religious city and comparatively few families 
were not identified with some congregation. 
102 



PASTORATE AT ELIZABETH IO3 

I determined at once to reach all unidentified Baptists, 
and to look after the newcomers into the city. The land- 
agents and hackmen aided me in this. They often in- 
formed me of persons inquiring for the Baptist church 
and of any who said they were Baptists. I at once 
called upon such, and invited them to attend our church 
the next Sunday. If they had families, Mrs. Clark and 
I would call as soon as convenient. In this way most of 
the Baptists who came to the city were induced to attend 
our services, and to unite with the church if they be- 
came permanent residents. 

After taking charge of the church I soon discovered 
that a very considerable number of the members, whose 
names were recorded on the church-roll, could not be 
found. After suitable effort to ascertain the residences 
of the entire membership, twenty-seven names were 
dropped. We thus found our actual membership to be 
forty-three — fifteen men and twenty-eight women. A 
number of these were aged and infirm, or living at such 
a distance as to be unable to attend our services. Twelve 
lived in the country, from one to five miles away. The 
working force in the city, outside of Mrs. Clark and 
myself, was six brethren and twelve sisters. We were 
surprised to find the membership so small, but we had 
the satisfaction of knowing our real strength and the 
residence of every member of the church. 

It was suggested by some of our leading members that 
we ask aid of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention. 
But knowing the feeling of many good brethren in the 
State, and that the church was not in good repute with 
them, I advised the church to depend on its own resources. 
I did this at considerable sacrifice, for I not only had to 
forego an increase in salary, but during the first year 
contributed fifty dollars to church purposes. But it 
seemed a good time for the church to begin full self- 



104 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

support. Events following this decision showed that we 
acted wisely. 

Notwithstanding our small resources and heavy finan- 
cial burdens, I advised the church to take up mission- 
ary collections. The brethren felt that they were really 
unable to support the church properly; how then could 
they help others? A little after I asked what they 
thought of having a monthly missionary concert, when 
any who wished could contribute to missions as they might 
choose. The suggestion was favorably received, and in 
August, 1859, we began holding a missionary concert on 
the first Sunday afternoon of each month. During the 
first year several dollars was contributed to foreign mis- 
sions. The next year a collection for home missions was 
added, and the year after the Bible cause was added as 
a third object of benevolence. Soon after, the church 
adopted a system of missionary offerings, dividing the 
year into six parts, and contributing to six objects: For- 
eign Missions, Home Missions, Publication Society, Edu- 
cation Society, State Convention, and Bible work. Gen- 
erous collections were realized, and the same plan has 
continued substantially for years. 

One of the most encouraging features of my work was 
the weekly prayer-meeting. During my entire pastorate 
it was well attended and of great spiritual profit. But 
the most discouraging feature was the Sunday-school. 
It had lost its grip upon the young. A constant effort 
seemed necessary to keep it alive. The other Sunday- 
schools in the city were large and active. They had 
canvassed the city thoroughly and gathered in the chil- 
dren. During the times of dissension and changes in our 
church the school had been neglected, and the children had 
become interested in other schools. To build up the 
school was harder than to start anew. The largest 
number we could get into the school for some time was 



PASTORATE AT ELIZABETH IO5 

about fourteen. We used various means for increasing 
the number and creating interest with little success. After 
two years twenty-five was regarded as a good aver- 
age attendance. Parents and the congregation showed 
but little interest; and it seemed almost impossible to 
induce the young people to attend. 

I grew almost desperate, but resolved to make one 
more attempt. After unfolding my plans to some of the 
leading brethren, I went into the pulpit one Sunday 
morning and preached a short discourse on the great 
necessity of the hour. I said to the people that if we 
expected to build up the Baptist cause in Elizabeth we 
must build up the Sunday-school. I urged upon parents 
and young people the duty of attending the Sunday-school 
and of giving it a place of honor by their influence, 
presence, and labors. I proposed that the time of meeting 
should be immediately after the morning service and that 
the congregation attend. Abruptly closing my discourse, 
I called for expressions of views. Several of the church 
and congregation declared their readiness to adopt the 
plan that had been suggested. It was also voted to reor- 
ganize the school, and to hold it immediately after the 
morning service. We began then and there. Classes of 
adults and of young people were formed and teachers 
selected; and the lessons for the next Sunday were 
announced. A constitution of the school was soon after 
adopted; officers were elected; the library and the num- 
ber of papers for distribution increased ; and the agencies 
of the best-equipped schools were introduced. 

This was one of the most important days in the his- 
tory of the church. The Sunday-school took on new life, 
and exerted a healthful influence upon every department 
of our work. An infant department was started under 
an excellent teacher, and a room was erected in the rear 
of the meeting-house for its accommodation. For order, 



106 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

good work, and efficiency the school became one of the 
best in the city. For forty years since then the Sunday- 
school and the prayer-meeting have been most important 
instrumentalities in building up the church. 

The first five years of my pastorate at Elizabeth were 
years of financial struggle both for the church and for 
myself. This was especially true of 1861. The country 
had not recovered from the financial crisis of 1857 when 
I entered upon my pastorate in 1859. The excitement 
of the presidential election of i860 brought business to a 
standstill. Matters grew worse after the election. When 
the war commenced, in April, 1861, and for some time 
after, business was prostrate, especially that connected with 
the South, or dependent upon the South. The business 
interests of Elizabeth were greatly depressed. Most of 
the financial supporters of our church had little or noth- 
ing to do. Only two of our members had much finan- 
cial means, and these were suffering greatly from the 
embarrassments of the times. It seemed almost like a 
matter of life or death. After getting all the pledges 
possible from the church and congregation there was a 
deficiency of at least three hundred dollars for meeting 
the necessary expenses of the bare support of the church 
for the year. After much thought and prayer I was 
deeply impressed that God was calling me to lead, for 
the time-being, in temporal matters. Arousing the church 
and congregation to action and influencing people outside, 
we held two festivals, each netting one hundred and fifty 
dollars, in all just the amount we needed to tide the 
church over this critical period in her history. 

I do not believe in supporting churches by festivals. 
But just at this time it seemed clear that our church 
was justified in doing business for the Lord. Never 
did I feel that I was doing God's work more than when 
I devoted time in engineering these two festivals. We 



PASTORATE AT ELIZABETH 107 

eliminated all the objectionable features which are too 
often connected with such gatherings, and conducted 
them on strictly business principles. 

During these years I was often in financial straits, and 
several times deliverance came in answer to prayer. I 
used to say that I did not know whether the Lord heard 
my prayers in regard to these temporal matters, but I was 
sure he heard the prayers of my wife. 1 remember that 
one Sunday morning Mrs. Martha Parcell, a most de- 
voted and benevolent sister, handed me twenty-five dol- 
lars, just the amount I needed to meet an obligation. 

In the summer of 1862 Dr. Henry G. Weston was 
spending a few weeks at Elizabeth with his cousin, Mrs. 
James Kain. He was then pastor of the Oliver Street 
Baptist Church of New York City. On Sunday, the 
thirteenth of July, I exchanged with him. I found that 
he opened his morning service with the Doxology. Im- 
pressed with its appropriateness, on my return home I 
commended it to my brethren, who favored its adoption. 
I believe we were the first church to adopt the practice 
in New Jersey, and perhaps the first in our country 
after the Oliver Street Church in New York. Since 
then it has become quite general in our own churches. 
And lately (1906) attending a Sunday morning service 
of the Princeton Theological Seminary, I was pleased 
with the opening, " Praise God from whom all blessings 
flow." 

During my pastorate at Elizabeth it was customary to 
have union services through the week of prayer, begin- 
ning with Monday evening after the first Sunday in 
January. In this way the Presbyterians, Episcopalians 
(low church), Methodists, and Baptists manifested 
brotherly feeling and Christian fellowship. But after 
that it seemed best for each church to attend to her own 
work. This was particularly true of our church. We 



108 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

were so small and overshadowed by the other churches 
that we were almost lost sight of in a large union service. 
But alone we could do some effective work. We always 
followed the week of prayer by some extra meeting of 
longer or shorter duration as Providence might indicate. 
These meetings were always attended with good results. 
During the first six years the ingatherings, though not 
large, were mostly by personal effort, largely " hand- 
picked fruit." 

With the beginning of 1862 there seemed a great lack 
of spiritual interest. The week of prayer, and another 
week of meetings in our own church had passed without 
any apparent results. One Sunday, after evening service, 
I was greatly impressed that I should call upon eleven or 
twelve unconverted persons and urge them to attend at 
once to their personal salvation. The next morning 
several obstacles were in the way of following out my 
convictions, but I called upon every one of these persons, 
and had personal religious conversation with them. I 
found the Lord had gone before me and opened their 
hearts to receive the truth. All of them were convicted 
of sin, and deeply conscious of their need of the Saviour. 
One or two, I think, soon removed from the city, but 
within a short time, ten were baptized and united with 
our church. 

One of the very trying things was the changing popu- 
lation among whom we largely labored. Baptists from 
New York or Brooklyn would come, remain with us a 
few months or a year, and after we became acquainted 
and interested in one another, they would return to the 
city or remove elsewhere. Some of them were very use- 
ful while with us, but this only made us feel their loss the 
more. As they did not regard themselves permanent, 
they did not unite with the church, but were members 
only of the congregation. And even some of those who 



PASTORATE AT ELIZABETH 109 

did join were compelled to go to other places on account 
of business. 

On baptismal occasions I generally preached on some 
Baptist doctrine, principle, or peculiarity. As we then 
had large congregations, I felt it my duty to do this not 
only for the instruction of my own people, but also 
for the information of those outside who might have 
wrong conceptions of our views. I prepared these dis- 
courses with great care. I made as little reference to 
other denominations as possible, and presented the Scrip- 
tural teaching as I understood it, in all kindness and 
frankness. I never heard of their giving offense. They 
resulted in great good, and years after, when visiting 
the people, I heard them spoken of and found the seed 
thus sown was bearing fruit. On the third of June, 
1862, I preached the annual sermon before the East 
New Jersey Baptist Association, in the Piscataway Church 
at Stelton, from Hebrews 10:38, " Now the just shall 
live by faith," and discussed the theme, " The Connec- 
tion of Faith with the Christian Life." At the election 
of officers I was chosen Standing Clerk, a position which 

1 held for five years. 

In the early autumn the first sorrow came to our 
home. Soon after returning from our vacation at Hali- 
fax, Vermont, our second child, Sara Ella, sixteen months 
old, died of cholera infantum. It was on Friday, Sep- 
tember fifth. On Sunday afternoon a service was held 
at the church, when Rev. William Rollinson spoke from 

2 Kings 4:26: "Is it well with the child? And she 
answered, It is well." The Sunday-school sang, " Around 
the throne of God in heaven, thousands of children 
stand." The body was laid away in the graveyard of the 
First Presbyterian Church, where it remained thirty- 
seven years, when it was removed and placed in our 
family plot in the Cedar Hill Cemetery at Hightstown. 



IIO STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

Sara Ella was an attractive child, and had entwined her- 
self around our hearts. Her loss was deeply felt, but 
it drew us nearer in trust and submission to God as our 
heavenly Father. 

The twentieth anniversary of our church came in 
June, 1863. It seemed a good time to put into permanent 
form some facts regarding its history. The minutes of 
the church were very brief; and many of them had 
never been recorded in the church book. Mr. Elkanah 
Drake, who had taken the first steps toward the organiza- 
tion, had died in February, 1852. His principal coworker 
in the enterprise, Deacon David S. Higgins, was in feeble 
health and declining years. Our other older members 
would in a few years pass away, and so many valuable 
facts regarding the early years of the church would be 
lost. I spent much time in visiting all the older mem- 
bers of the church and congregation, and gathered a 
large amount of material. This was done with much 
care ; every fact was confirmed by more than one witness. 
Having examined and compared the records of both the 
church and the society, public and private documents, and 
the testimony of twenty-four living witnesses, I prepared 
a historical discourse, which I preached on Sunday morn- 
ings, June seventh and fourteenth. 

This discourse was published by request of the church, 
and was widely distributed among the members, in the 
city and in many of the churches of the State. Its effect 
was good in bringing the church favorably before the 
community and among sister churches, and good among 
ourselves in arousing a sentiment and creating an interest 
in paying the indebtedness on our church property. Only 
three hundred dollars had been paid on our debt; two 
thousand, seven hundred still remained. It was resolved 
to make an effort to pay this. It was agreed to begin 
with the church, and make a suggestive estimate of what 



PASTORATE AT ELIZABETH III 

different parties might possibly give. This was care- 
fully and wisely done, and the matter presented to each 
one kindly and subject to each one's option. The result 
was that the subscriptions were made substantially as 
suggested. We then solicited subscriptions from the 
congregation with good success. There being still some 
deficiency, we sought help outside. I visited Plainfield 
and Stelton, and obtained about a hundred dollars. Some 
friends in the city also subscribed, and we were all happy 
on the second Sunday of December, 1864, to have it 
announced that the whole amount needed had been raised. 
The money was paid soon after, and at the next Asso- 
ciation in June we reported the church free from debt. 

While engaged in raising a subscription for our church 
debt, I was forgetful of my own needs. The expense of 
living had greatly increased. Everything was selling at 
war prices. My salary was entirely inadequate. Still, 
I had given it but little thought. I was trusting in God 
that he would provide. And God did provide in a very 
unexpected way. Early in September I was asked to 
teach Latin two hours, three mornings a week, in the 
Union School, to be paid three hundred dollars for the 
school year. I therefore entered upon the work of teach- 
ing, without trespassing in the least upon my duties as 
pastor or preacher. My brethren were surprised when 
they heard what I was doing, but thoughtfully took in 
the situation. At the next meeting of the church my 
salary was increased three hundred dollars, and I was told 
to go on and complete my school year. The next year 
two hundred dollars more was added to the salary. 
The church also paid my fare to St. Louis to attend the 
Anniversaries in May, 1865, after which I extended 
my trip to Fairfield, Iowa, to visit my brother. 

On the tenth of July, 1864, I exchanged with Rev. 
Joshua E. Rue, of Hightstown. He was supplying for 



112 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

Rev. Isaac Butterfield, who had recently become pastor. 
Mr. Rue was anxious that I become interested in the 
school just started there. It was one of the strong 
desires of his life to see a school of high grade estab- 
lished by the Baptists of New Jersey. I recall meeting 
him and his pastor, Rev. Lewis Smith, who was in de- 
clining health, at the State Convention in Bordentown, 
November 10, 1863. Both had been talking on their 
way to Bordentown of the need of a Baptist school in 
New Jersey. One of the first things he said, on accost- 
ing me, was : " There is going to be something done 
about a denominational school at this meeting." He 
had expected that Mr. Smith would offer a resolution, but 
Rev. J. C. Hyde, of Camden, who was entertained with 
Mr. Smith over night, had the honor of offering it the 
next morning as follows: "Resolved, That a committee 
be appointed to take into consideration the desirableness 
and propriety of making arrangement immediately for 
establishing a literary institution, under the patronage of 
our denomination in New Jersey." The committee was 
appointed, and reported in the afternoon, making several 
general recommendations, but never did anything after- 
ward. 

Mr. Rue was eccentric and impulsive, and had been 
anxious that something be done. Thus on Sunday morn- 
ing, November first, in the public congregation at Hights- 
town, he offered a resolution, that the old Baptist meet- 
ing-house should be repaired and changed, so as to make 
it comfortable for lectures, prayer-meetings, and the Sun- 
day-school — his ultimate object being to secure a suitable 
schoolroom. The resolution was unanimously passed, and 
the work was done. And on the thirtieth of January, 
1864, it was : " Resolved, That the room over the lecture- 
room be granted to Brother Lewis Smith for a school- 
room, free of charge for one year." Though Mr. Smith 






PASTORATE AT ELIZABETH II3 

was unable to undertake the work, a school was started in 
the spring, which, undergoing various changes, at length 
ripened into Peddie Institute. It had its home in the old 
church six years. 

In the spring of 1864 Mr. Rue visited me at Elizabeth 
in the interest of the school, and then visited Dr. H. C. 
Fish at Newark, and first brought the school to his 
favorable notice. In June Mr. Rue visited the East 
New Jersey Baptist Association at Red Bank and got an 
endorsement of the school. In October he visited the 
Central Baptist Association at Wertsville and obtained 
a hearty approval. A like endorsement was given by the 
State Convention which met in November at Flemington. 

I am thus particular because it has been much dis- 
cussed as to who was the originator of the school. If 
it had not been for Mr. Rue the school at Hightstown 
would not have been started when it was, and he it was 
who did more than any other one in locating it at Hights- 
town. The original Board of Trustees in 1864 was from 
Hightstown. Of the nineteen members constituting the 
Board in November, 1865, thirteen were members of the 
Baptist congregation of Hightstown. Rev. J. C. Hyde 
later became financial agent, and did valuable work in 
planning and hastening the erection of the first building, 
now named Wilson Hall. 



XVI 

MY COMMENTARY, PREPARATIONS FOR 

WHEN in the Rochester Theological Seminary I 
conceived the idea of writing a commentary on 
the Holy Scriptures. This grew upon me, until it be- 
came a settled conviction that I was called of God to the 
work. During my pastorate at New Market and my 
first years at Elizabeth I took up special studies with this 
in view. For several years I did not find a fitting time 
to begin, nor did I have the preparation or the books that 
I wished for the work. Amid many difficulties I per- 
severed in systematic study. My wife had greater faith 
in me than I had in myself. Perhaps I would not have 
entered upon the task if it had not been for her words 
which deepened my convictions and stimulated my 
courage. 

It seemed to me that what the Baptist people needed 
and the state of biblical learning demanded was a popular 
commentary upon a critical basis; that such a work 
should be grounded not only on a critical text, but also 
on a text critically studied; that the result of such 
studies should be presented in a form suited to the com- 
mon people, illustrated from books of travel, archeology, 
and history, and supplemented with marginal and other 
Scripture references, and with practical suggestions for 
private meditation or for use by teachers, superintend- 
ents, and Christian workers. 

For about six years I had thought to begin with the 
Old Testament, and had devoted special study upon it. 
After I became well settled at Elizabeth I was planning 
114 



MY COMMENTARY 115 

to begin notes upon the book of Genesis. I incidentally 
mentioned my intention to Rev. Doctor Fish, of Newark. 
He advised me to begin with the Gospels, saying that 
they were to be the central books of study for some years 
to come. He had recently met with leading Sunday- 
school men of the country, who expressed the opinion 
that the life of Christ would be more than ever studied 
in the Sunday-school. I too thought I could see this 
tendency in the times, and so concluded to devote my 
attention first to the New Testament. My studies in the 
Old Testament, however, did me a great service in inter- 
preting the New. Indeed, a critical knowledge of both 
Testaments seems eminently desirable for commenting on 
either. 

My change of plan delayed the commencement of my 
commentary work. I wished to give more study to the 
New Testament, and especially to the Gospels. Other 
things hindered in the busy and trying days of my 
early ministry in Elizabeth, particularly my teaching in 
the Union School. 

At length my annual visit to Halifax, Vermont, came 
in August, 1865. These vacation days were always times 
for reviewing my work and forming plans for the future. 
It was more than usually so at this time, both in re- 
gard to church work and writing a commentary. The 
latter weighed heavily on my mind. Ten years had 
passed since I had left the seminary, and, while much 
study had been given in preparation, not a sentence, or 
word of an actual beginning, had been written! 

Soon after my return to Elizabeth the crisis came. 
Having preached in my own pulpit, Sunday, September 
tenth, I had a wakeful night, hours of intense feeling. 
I felt self-condemned that I had yielded so easily to 
difficulties and hindrances in the way of commentary 
work. About two o'clock in the morning I rededicated 



Il6 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

myself and what little talent I possessed to God and to 
this particular labor, so far as time, strength, and duties 
to my church would permit. Great peace filled my soul 
and I fell into a sweet sleep. I arose at the usual time, 
and wrote that day the first page of my " Notes on 
Matthew." From that time onward the forenoons of 
three or four days each week were devoted to this work. 
I had attained such facility in preparing sermons that I 
could usually make my Sunday preparations on Friday 
and Saturday. My pastoral calls and other duties re- 
ceived attention, as heretofore, in afternoons and eve- 
nings. What I owed to my church and congregation 
was always first, and I made it a rule that my com- 
mentary work should not interfere. So carefully did I 
observe this rule that my people never suspected that I 
was doing this extra work, and when I issued the first 
volume, they were surprised, and wondered how and 
when I could have commanded time for its preparation. 
When I began writing my commentary I was teaching 
a class of men and women, a supply class for teachers 
in the Sunday-school. It was composed of intelligent 
people, well informed upon the news of the day and the 
general affairs of life. I was surprised to find how 
limited was their knowledge of the Bible, and upon 
how many points they needed explanation. And they 
appeared to represent the intelligence of people generally 
in Bible matters. And therefore in preparing my notes 
I kept my class in view, and endeavored to meet the needs 
of this class of people. If sometimes I seemed to explain 
needlessly, it was because I found persons in my class 
who needed just such information. My comments were 
on the common English version, but they were the result 
of careful study of the original Greek. Indeed, a critical 
commentary was often made mentally before the popular 
notes were written. In very many cases it would have 



MY COMMENTARY 117 

been as easy to write a critical commentary as it was to 
prepare the popular one. 

In preparing my commentary I had first in view the 
needs of Baptist people, especially the teachers and 
workers in our Baptist Sunday-schools. I did not, how- 
ever, make the articles of our faith and practice a stand- 
ard or guide in my expositions. I strove as far as pos- 
sible to be guided by the mind and will of Christ. My 
single desire was to know, unfold, and enforce the 
thought of God, as revealed in his word. These four 
questions were kept in view : What did the writer intend 
to express? What idea did he convey to his Christian 
readers? What did the Spirit intend to say or teach 
through him? How can the thought be best expressed 
or explained now? The grammatical form and logical 
connection, in the original, were carefully studied, as well 
as the spirit, aim, and surroundings of the writer. Thus 
the work was not sectarian, though intended principally 
for Baptist readers. 

I seemed to progress very slowly at times, when I had 
difficulties in philology and interpretation to meet, ques- 
tions of the text to examine, works of reference to con- 
sult, books of travel to quote, and scriptural references 
to select; and to put all in popular form suited to the 
people as we generally meet them. I remember at one 
time when I had been toiling long upon a chapter, that 
my wife came into my study and in solicitude said, 
" Aren't you putting too much time on this ? " " No," 
I replied, " we shall see the time when we will not be 
sorry for all the work I put upon it." And we did see 
it. When my " Notes on Matthew " were issued from 
the press, a similar and very excellent commentary on 
Matthew was published by the leading Baptist publisher 
of New England, and endorsed by the professors of 
Newton Theological Seminary. The two works naturally 



Il8 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 






came into competition. Without my solicitation or knowl- 
edge, the Board of the American Baptist Publication So- 
ciety appointed a committee of three to examine them. 
As a result, Dr. B. Griffith, secretary, wrote me stating 
what had been done, and that preference had been given 
to my " Matthew," and that the Society would be glad 
to enter into some arrangement whereby it could become 
my publisher. Dr. J. M. Pendleton, who I believe was 
one of the committee, told me that it was the many little 
points brought out, the practical remarks, and the many 
references, that decided the committee in its favor. I 
then thought of that talk in my study, and that my 
slow and hard work had not been in vain. 

For ten years since becoming a pastor, I had generally 
preached topical or textual discourses, often with great 
dissatisfaction. But I had made an exception in the 
autumn of 1864, when I preached ten expository ser- 
mons on the Epistle to the Galatians. These I enjoyed, 
and they were well received. About two months after I 
commenced writing my commentary I began what might 
be styled semiexpository preaching. Taking a paragraph, 
I would give a running exposition, and then enforce some 
of the lessons of the passage. This method of preaching 
better suited my peculiarities of mind and my scriptural 
studies than any other. I entered with new life into 
preaching, and the people listened with increased interest. 
During the week inquiries would be made about the 
Scripture expounded or the thought enforced. For ten 
years after this I preached a sermon a Sunday on some 
paragraph in the Gospels, and hundreds of practical 
remarks in my commentary were the ones used in en- 
forcing doctrinal and practical truth upon my hearers. 

I found several advantages in this manner of preach- 
ing. First of all, I instructed my people more in the 
Scriptures than formerly. Then I adapted myself better 



MY COMMENTARY 119 

to the varying needs of my church and congregation — a 
paragraph giving me an opportunity for a wider applica- 
tion. I could also often apply truth more pointedly, as 
directly coming out from some part of the paragraph, 
without appearing personal, or going out of the way. And 
not the least, it helped me to preach without manuscript. 
I learned that one secret of extemporaneous preaching is 
to keep the reservoir full. My mind was kept full in 
preparing my commentary, and it became easy to ex- 
pound a passage and arrange my materials in its illus- 
tration and enforcement. Thus my commentary helped 
my preaching, and my preaching helped give popular and 
practical form to my commentary. 

Meanwhile, my church was gradually growing in finan- 
cial strength and numbers. The increase came both 
from those who had been for some time residents of 
Elizabeth, and also from those who moved into the city 
and did business in New York. The older members were 
conservative; the newer ones were, for the most, pro- 
gressive ; some radical. Thus there were different classes, 
accustomed to different modes of life and different 
methods of church work. Strong and prosperous 
churches in New York and Brooklyn were represented 
by good and energetic brethren and sisters. What had 
been successful in their respective churches was in their 
minds the very thing to insure success here. The greatest 
care was needed to avoid friction and promote harmony 
and concerted action. Our church business meetings were 
in danger of becoming storm-centers. This was most 
happily avoided by making the deacons a committee on 
discipline and church business. All matters of impor- 
tance were referred to this committee, and all important 
business was transacted on their recommendation. A 
monthly meeting of pastor and deacons was held, at 
which time the whole field of church and congregation 



120 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

was surveyed, and such recommendations for church 
action were made as could be unanimously agreed upon 
by the committee. These meetings rotated among the 
families of the deacons and pastor. They were very 
pleasant social gatherings, and resulted very advanta- 
geously to the spiritual and financial condition of the 
church. 

On Thursday evening, December 28, 1865, the Sunday- 
school held a Christmas and New Year's celebration. A 
good program was rendered, and gifts were given and 
received. The pastor and his wife were presented with 
a beautiful tea-set, valued at seventy-five dollars, from 
the congregation. This had been gotten up so quietly 
that it was to us a perfect surprise. This was the seventh 
year of my pastorate in Elizabeth, and at no time had 
the work been more encouraging or the spiritual in- 
terests more promising. 

With the growth of the church in numerical and finan- 
cial strength there came a desire for a corresponding- 
increase of spiritual influence and power. There had 
been conversions from time to time for several years, 
but there had been no general revival which reached the 
entire church and took hold of the outside community. 
It was a frequent subject of thought and prayer. 

During November and December of this year interest 
grew and seriousness deepened. After the Week of 
Prayer, which, in 1866, occurred January 7-13, we held 
three or four meetings a week for several weeks. They 
were well attended and of great interest. Sinners were 
convicted of sin and souls were converted. Sunday, 
January twenty-first, was particularly a solemn day — 
possibly the most solemn Sunday since my coming to 
Elizabeth. The Spirit was present in power; Christians 
were deeply moved; a wandering professor returned to 
the fold in humble penitence; and work among the 



MY COMMENTARY 121 

unsaved received a new impulse. On the last Sunday in 
January and the first Sunday of February several were 
baptized. As the work went on others professed conver- 
sion, and were ready to unite with the church. 

Elder Jacob Knapp, the noted evangelist, was at this 
time holding meetings in Newark. He spent two weeks 
with us, beginning Saturday evening, February twenty- 
fourth. Mr. Knapp was then sixty-five years old, and 
possessed great physical and mental strength and vigor. 
His power over a congregation was remarkable. When 
preaching, he stood unmoved, making but slight gestures 
of the hand, but he would hold his audience for an hour 
with interest increasing in intensity to the end. Some of 
his discourses were the most powerful I ever heard, 
and they produced in some the most pungent convictions. 
Our church was crowded to its utmost capacity every 
evening. A large number, among them many young men, 
came forward to the front seats for prayers. Daily some 
were added to the Lord. 

The work extended outside of our church and congre- 
gation. This was especially true in Lyons Farms, about 
two and a half miles distant, between Elizabeth and 
Newark. The Baptist church there was nearly a hundred 
years old, but had been depleted by removals and deaths, 
and also by others going into the Baptist churches at 
Newark. It had been for some time without a pastor, 
and it had neither Sabbath service, Sunday-school, nor 
prayer-meeting. The few older and faithful members 
were completely discouraged, and thought it best to dis- 
band and go into neighboring Baptist churches. Among 
these was Deacon J. Winans, a man of prayer and a 
lover of Christian work. He came to our meetings, and 
had his spiritual strength renewed. He induced many 
of his friends and neighbors to come with him, both the 
unconverted and cold, formal professors of religion. 



122 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

Many of these were reached by the truth. Backsliders 
were reclaimed; they returned to the Lord, confessing 
their sins. Some of them were young married people. 
In penitence they publicly confessed their wanderings, 
and said that their first step of wandering was in attend- 
ing parties of pleasure. They became infatuated with the 
dance, and lost all religious enjoyment. The prayer- 
meeting was first neglected, and then the church and all 
its services. As their salvation was now restored, they 
became active workers for the Lord, and sinners among 
their friends and neighbors were converted. Several 
of these I baptized. Following this, Rev. W. H. Berg- 
fels, a young preacher from Newark, opened the church 
at Lyons Farms, and held meetings resulting in other 
conversions and baptisms. The result was, the church 
entered upon a new life, and its membership was largely 
increased. Its old house of worship gave way to a new 
house, and for many years Mr. Bergfels was its pastor. 

As usual, I spent my August vacation at Halifax, Ver- 
mont. On August 30, 1866, the golden wedding of Rev. 
Samuel and Mrs. Bersheba Fish, Mrs. Clark's parents, 
was celebrated. Sixty sat down to dinner, and about one 
hundred to tea. The ten children were present — eight 
with their husbands or wives, and twenty grandchildren. 
A number of other relatives had come from a distance. 
Interesting exercises occurred in the evening. I was 
asked to open with prayer. Rev. Henry C. Fish read 
a sketch of the ancestors and descendants of Rev. Sam- 
uel Fish. Charles F. Fish, M. D., read a paper on the 
" Physiological Traits of the Fish Family." I read 
one of the hymns which were sung on the occasion. 
Father Fish made an appropriate address, recalling God's 
guidance and faithfulness, and closed with prayer. A 
Golden Wedding Book was afterward prepared and pub- 
lished, containing an account of this gathering, the 



MY COMMENTARY I23 

papers read on the Fish family, as well as a sketch of 
the Packer (Mother Fish's) family. 

On our return to Elizabeth we entered vigorously into 
church work with much to encourage us. With the 
assistance of Rev. A. P. Graves, who was about to give 
up pastoral work for the calling of the evangelist, special 
meetings were held in December. These resulted in good, 
not only in the conversion of sinners, but also in bringing 
the church up to a higher plane of Christian living and 
in strengthening and training the converts of the pre- 
ceding year. 

When I came to Elizabeth there was one colored mem- 
ber, a sister, in our church. There was a mission among 
the colored people under Presbyterian supervision, where 
I sometimes preached. Several colored persons professed 
conversion in our meetings, some of whom I baptized. 
These formed a nucleus of a colored church, which was 
organized after I left the city; and from it sprang the 
two prosperous colored churches now doing good work in 
Elizabeth. 

In 1863 I started a weekly prayer-meeting at Eliza- 
bethport, the eastern part of the city, but two miles 
from our church. Several Baptist families were living 
there, and some members of our church. In the autumn 
and winter of 1867 we hired the use of a hall Sunday 
afternoons and held a preaching service. The prayer- 
meetings were continued in private houses. A number 
were received into the church by baptism, letter, and ex- 
perience. Often on Sunday mornings a stage ful would 
come up to our service. The changing population was 
detrimental to our work, and prevented rapid growth. 
After my leaving Elizabeth Mr. Peter B. Amory started 
a Sunday-school and built a memorial chapel. The pres- 
ent East Elizabeth Baptist Church is the outcome of this 
mission. 



124 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

During the year 1867, there was a quickening of 
church life and a deepening of Christian experience and 
personal religion. This was manifested in our prayer- 
meetings, which were seasons of great enjoyment, and 
in the conversation of our members. Several valuable 
and spiritually minded persons came to us by letter, 
among whom were Deacon Jonathan Ives and family. 
Deacon Ives was a man of prayer and spiritual power, 
one who walked with God and was ready for every good 
work. His life was a daily commendation of the religion 
of Christ. He was an epistle for the gospel in the city 
and in his business and social relations. 

Late in the autumn my attention was particularly 
called to the school at Hightstown. Mr. Edgar Haas 
and his brother had charge of the school ; and they were 
purposing to leave at the end of the school year, June, 
1868. I was asked to become principal, beginning with 
September following. I gave some encouragement, but 
did not accept for the following reason: Mr. Calvin 
F. Wiley had been a member of my church the first two 
years of my pastorate at Elizabeth. He then removed 
with his family to Ballston Spa, New York. In Decem- 
ber, 1867, I received a letter from Mr. Wiley, asking me 
to visit his family and preach on the last Sunday of the 
year. Delighted with the thought of seeing my old 
friends, I went to Ballston, and had a very enjoyable time, 
both in visiting and in preaching. On Monday morn- 
ing, just as I was taking the cars for home, I was surprised 
by two brethren of the church, who asked me if I would 
accept a call to become pastor of the church. I replied 
that I did not know whether I could accept, that I had 
already given some thought to becoming principal of the 
Institute at Hightstown, New Jersey, but that I was will- 
ing to consider the matter prayerfully if such a call was 
given me. 



MY COMMENTARY 12$ 

Two weeks later I received the call. After revisiting 
the church, and then consulting with the committee of 
the Board of the Hightstown School, it became evident 
that duty called me to the pastorate at Ballston. This 
invitation had come unexpectedly and without my seek- 
ing in the least. It seemed to be a providential call 
from God. It also seemed to me that if I went to 
Hightstown I must very largely give up my commentary 
work, which I could carry on in the pastorate. I there- 
fore declined the principalship of the school, and the 
next day, February 6, 1868, accepted the call to the pas- 
torate at Ballston Spa, to begin with March first. Events 
of all the years since then convince me that I acted wisely. 

The little time that remained to me in Elizabeth was 
spent in reviewing my work and in preparing to leave 
my church in the best possible condition. I had per- 
formed the hardest nine years' work of my life. In a 
conservative city like Elizabeth and under the over- 
shadowing influence of strong and older churches of other 
denominations, our little church had labored under great 
difficulty and had made comparatively slow progress. I 
often likened our work to a railroad train on an up-grade, 
needing much power to start, but finding the pull easier 
when it came to level ground. During my first year 
we got well started, but my second and third years were 
amid the distractions and hard financial times connected 
with the beginning of the great Civil War. The fourth 
year we made good headway, and continued to do so to 
the end. In after years, as I have looked over the field 
I have found that we laid the foundation for the five 
Baptist churches that are now in the city. Just before 
leaving I obtained the statistics of the Presbyterian, Epis- 
copal, and Methodist churches of the city, and was grati- 
fied to find that the Baptist denomination had the largest 
ratio of increase during the time of my pastorate. 



126 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

My last Sunday, February 23, 1868, was a day of deep 
and solemn interest, with large attendance both morning 
and evening. In the morning I preached my last dis- 
course as pastor. Among many other things, I said: 

During my pastorate I have preached nine hundred and eleven 
sermons, attended more than eight hundred prayer-meetings, 
made about eight thousand pastoral calls and visits. As a 
church and congregation we have paid off a debt of three 
thousand dollars, and built a primary Sunday-school room at 
an expense of several hundred dollars. Beginning with $24.94 
for benevolence the first year, we have during the nine years 
raised the sum total of $2,343.33 for missionary objects. How 
well or ill our work has been done must be left to the decisions 
of the last Day. God has, however, greatly blessed us, and in 
reviewing the past, we can set up our Ebenezer and say, " Hith- 
erto the Lord has helped us." 




BALLSTON SPA BAPTIST CHURCH 



XVII 

BALLSTON PASTORATE. 1 868- 1 873. 

BALLSTON SPA, the county-seat of Saratoga 
County, was a thriving village of about five thousand 
inhabitants. It derived its name from Rev. Eliphalet 
Ball, one of its first settlers, who is also believed to have 
been the third cousin of George Washington. It was also 
believed that he was related to Edward Ball, one of the 
first settlers of Newark, New Jersey. To the name Ball- 
ston was added Spa, because of its mineral springs, which 
were quite celebrated in the early part of the nineteenth 
century. These springs had been injured by ponds of 
water connected with the mills of the village. But excel- 
lent mineral water was still obtained by artesian wells. 

The Baptist church was a vigorous body, having been 
organized in 1791. Connected with it were many of the 
oldest and best families in the village. Its house of wor- 
ship was of stone, and was centrally located. The ex- 
cellency of this location, however, was marred by the 
railroad which ran just back of it. 

The congregations were good both morning and eve- 
ning. The Sunday-school met immediately after morn- 
ing service, so that a large proportion of the scholars 
attended the church service. An interesting Bible class 
was taught by Deacon R. P. Clapp. He at once wished 
me to take his class. I told him that he was in the 
right place, and that I could do more good to the school 
in general by supplying vacant classes, and thus becom- 
ing acquainted with the scholars of the school. I could 
also keep in touch with the superintendent and exercise 

127 



128 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

a pastoral oversight of the school. I often reviewed and 
enforced the lesson just before the closing exercises of 
the school. I think I exerted a wider influence and ac- 
complished more in this way than I could by having a 
stated class. 

My first work was to get acquainted with the entire 
membership of the church and congregation. I obtained 
the church roll and found three hundred and ten names 
recorded. But the roll had been loosely kept, and had 
not been revised for many years. The names of some 
persons had not been recorded, and there were names of 
others who had died or removed to other places. A 
committee on the membership was appointed, consisting 
of three of our most widely acquainted members. After 
much labor in correspondence, inquiry, and travel they 
recommended the church to drop fifty- two names from 
the roll, and advised fourteen persons to take letters to 
the churches near which they resided. Our membership 
was decreased, but we were really strengthened; for we 
knew our strength, and had a more intelligent sense of 
our individual responsibility. In this way I came to 
know every member of my church and congregation. 

Incidentally, I learned some of the sore trials through 
which the church had passed. Thirteen years before, 
there had been a stormy period and a considerable num- 
ber had been excluded from the membership of the 
church. They were generally persons of good reputation, 
and several of them were men of means and influence. 
Some had died, some had removed to other places, but 
still a considerable number remained who felt they had 
been wronged. It seemed evident that there had been 
undue haste and wrong on both sides. An opportunity 
was given for any, who desired, to renew their member- 
ship by simply taking up their walk with the church. 
Attendance upon our services and at the communion 



BALLSTON PASTORATE I 29 

was regarded as a proof of their return. Within a few 
months ten of those who were still living within the 
bounds of our congregation thus signified their desire, 
and their names were replaced upon the church roll. This 
proved to be a very happy ending of a very unhappy 
affair. It was followed with great spiritual blessings, 
and with a long period of peace and prosperity. These 
brethren who returned became very earnest and valuable 
workers. 

My church was partly village and partly country. 
Years before, it had exerted a very wide influence out- 
side of the village. Rev. Norman Fox, who was pastor 
from March, 1838, to October, 1849, preached often in 
the country schoolhouses, where Sunday-schools were 
held during the summer, and gathered many members 
into the church from the surrounding country. But after 
he left, these outposts were too much neglected. The 
pastors may have thought that it was best to concen- 
trate their efforts in the village, or perhaps they found 
three services and Sunday-schools overtaxing their ener- 
gies. Whatever had been the reason for this neglect, it 
had resulted in the church losing much of its hold upon 
the country districts. Some who once were interested 
in our church had become indifferent. Some church- 
goers had become non-churchgoers, and had no church 
home ; some never attended any religious meeting except, 
it might be, a funeral. 

I saw that there was a field for useful work in the 
several school districts surrounding our village. In only 
one of these districts did any pastor hold a meeting, and 
that only occasionally. I started occasional meetings in 
the schoolhouses of six districts. Once a month I 
preached in one of them on a Sunday afternoon, and 
often on a week-day evening. A week-day evening serv- 
ice was very acceptable to the people. Besides, in the 



I3O STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

latter case I could use the afternoon preceding the eve- 
ning meeting in calling in the neighborhood, especially 
on those who were not accustomed to attend any church. 
These meetings were productive of much good. Many of 
the people became interested in the church of which I 
was pastor, and began to attend our Sunday service in 
the village; and the way was prepared for evangelistic 
work in these districts. 

With the closing weeks of 1870 many members of the 
church expressed earnest desires for a revival of God's 
work and the salvation of souls. The week of prayer 
was observed and we were hopeful, and during the month 
of January we held meetings four evenings a week. 
They were seasons of great spiritual enjoyment. 

In the meantime, I became burdened in soul for the 
unsaved in one of the school districts outside of the vil- 
lage. At the close of one of my evening meetings I said 
to my brethren : " We seem to be content with having 
a good time in these meetings. We are not so anxious 
as we ought to be for the unsaved who live in the country 
just outside of the town. They do not come to us; 
I propose to go to them. Sinners here are unmoved; 
there I believe they will be reached. Next week we will 
begin meetings at the Rowley Schoolhouse." 

This was about two and a half miles east of the vil- 
lage. A new schoolhouse had recently been built. By 
request I opened it with a religious service on a Sunday 
afternoon. I was urged to repeat my visit, and when I 
spoke of preaching some week-day evenings I was cor- 
dially invited to do so. 

In the month of February I began meetings in this 
sa^olhouse, two or three evenings a week, and con- 
tinuea f hem through the month of March. The house 
from the first was filled with serious and attentive hear- 
ers. Every week there were new inquirers and some 



BALLSTON PASTORATE I3I 

professed conversions. Every family in the neighbor- 
hood was reached. As a result, some excellent members 
came into our church, one of whom was afterward 
chosen a deacon. Some others united with a Methodist 
church about a mile and a half distant. 

This success led me to carry on the same line of work 
in other neighborhoods. In January, 1872, I began meet- 
ings in the Courthouse Hill Schoolhouse about three miles 
west of the village near Ballston Center. The school- 
house was of more than ordinary size and was well filled, 
irrespective of the state of the weather. I remember 
going out in a sleigh when the thermometer was nine 
degrees below zero. The Holy Spirit was present in 
power. I recall one evening when fourteen manifested 
their desire to become Christians. The majority of the 
converts united with our church in the village; some of 
the others joined the Presbyterian church at the Center 
or the Methodist church in the village. 

Any one who has lived in a summer resort knows what 
is often experienced in church life and church work. 
For three or four months the people are all so taken 
up with the entertainment of visitors and boarders that 
the meetings of the church, and public and private duties 
of the Christian life, are sadly neglected. Saratoga was 
regarded as specially brilliant at the height of the board- 
ing season. The races and every kind of entertainment 
and amusement were gotten up in their most attractive 
form. Ballston felt the influence. It had once been noted 
as a watering-place, and still had some attractions. There 
was the county fair, and races, and the various popular 
amusements. We felt these influences in the church life — 
among our church-members and on our young people. 

The evil seemed to be on the increase. A kind of 
infatuation was getting hold of some. I therefore 
preached a series of sermons on social evils, taking a 



132 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

wide range, including horse-racing, gambling, and dan- 
cing. Considerable excitement ensued. The local papers 
took notice. Articles pro and con were written. Out 
of the pulpit I had nothing to say. I left this to others. 
One evening the Presbyterian pastor and congregation 
dismissed their own service and came to ours. I recom- 
mended healthful recreation, mental improvement, use- 
ful and Christian work, which would more than take 
up the time that any had to spare. I advocated the cultiva- 
tion of our social nature, and especially the art of con- 
versation which would be at once most useful and most 
delightful. Thus I would substitute something in the 
place of frivolous amusements that would elevate the 
soul, enrich the mind, and bless ourselves and others. 

Early in this series of discourses some of our members 
trembled for the ark of God. But as we proceeded they 
gained courage, and as we were about concluding one of 
the leading brethren clapped me on the shoulder, saying : 
" At first I was afraid you would injure yourself and the 
cause, but you are coming out all right.' , Some of our 
best young people expressed gratitude for my words of 
counsel and warning. My evening congregations ever 
after continued larger than before. One of the leaders 
in balls and dancing parties was a constant attendant. 
When asked the reason, he replied : " I like to hear an 
honest man, one who has the courage to preach his con- 
victions." 

Early in the month of March, 1873, I began meetings in 
the Seaman Schoolhouse, about two and a half miles 
north of the village on the road to Saratoga. This was 
a very needy field — much Sabbath desecration ; very few 
attended church. The young people were much given to 
sports and to wandering about the fields on Sunday. 
From the very beginning the Spirit was present with 
power. The whole neighborhood was reached. The 



BALLSTON PASTORATE 1 33 

schoolhouse was filled every night. Sinners were con- 
victed of sin; prodigals returned; young converts rejoiced 
in a newly found Saviour. Sabbath desecration ceased, 
and the people generally attended public worship ; and a 
goodly number professed their faith in baptism. A Sun- 
day-school was started, which continued in successful 
operation for several years after my leaving Ballston. 

I also held a few meetings at East Line, three miles east, 
where several professed conversion. And other fields 
were opening. I began to receive invitations to hold 
meetings in schoolhouses farther away from the village. 
But having labored in the immediate adjoining districts, 
it seemed now to be the time for concentrating our efforts 
upon the village itself. I therefore arranged, early in the 
sixth year of my Ballston pastorate, with Rev. H. G. 
DeWitt, the evangelist, to assist me in a series of meetings 
in our church in the village during the fall or winter. 
I hoped thus to consolidate the work, and cultivate a 
feeling among all who had united with us from the coun- 
try districts that they had a church home in the village, 
and at the same time to reach many others who were un- 
saved. But these plans were never carried out. I was 
unexpectedly and providentially called to another field of 
labor. 



XVIII 

WORK ON COMMENTARY CLOSE OF BALLSTON PASTORATE 

I HAVE already written about my commentary work 
at Elizabeth. This I resumed at Ballston as soon as I 
was settled in the parsonage. Adopting the same system 
of study as at New Market and Elizabeth, about sixteen 
hours a week were devoted to the commentary on the 
Gospels. 

Early in 1869 I was nearing the end of my commentary 
on the Gospel of MattrTew, and in the spring I took a 
portion of it to Dr. T. J. Conant, of Brooklyn, New York, 
for examination and suggestion. I felt more indebted to 
him than to any other teacher, and while I had never 
said anything to him about preparing a commentary on 
the Bible, I had frequently visited him and consulted 
him in regard to textual and philological difficulties. After 
looking over my manuscript, he suggested the prepara- 
tion of a new English harmony of the four Gospels. 
He said that he noticed that I had given considerable 
attention to Gospel harmony, and that there was need 
for such a work ; that Doctor Robinson's work was fall- 
ing into disuse and needed revision; that he had lately 
endeavored to buy a copy, but failed to find it after call- 
ing at several bookstores in New York. 

After consultation with Dr. H. C. Fish, I began pre- 
paring the harmony at once. I had already gone over 
the Gospels twice chronologically and harmonically, ma- 
king Dr. Edward Robinson my principal guide, but reach- 
ing different results in some important particulars. I 
now extended my studies with the aid of leading har- 
134 



WORK ON COMMENTARY 1 35 

monists, ancient and modern, going over the Gospels 
twice again. Everything was favorable for my work. 
The summer was cool and healthful. My pastoral work 
was comparatively light. I exchanged with several neigh- 
boring pastors. Several of my ministerial brethren were 
visiting in Ballston, and preached for me. I took no 
vacation, but put in twenty-five to thirty hours a week 
upon the " Harmony." 

After five months of incessant toil I had the " Har- 
mony of the Gospels " ready for the press. I took it to 
Doctor Conant, who approved the plan. It was ar- 
ranged that he write the introduction. This did much 
toward giving the work a favorable reception. 

Now came the " tug of war " in securing a publisher. 
No one seemed willing to undertake the publication with- 
out financial help, and what appeared to be the lion's 
share of the profits. But Mr. S. W. Green, of New 
York, finally agreed to print and assist in publishing my 
" Harmony " and commentary and await financial returns 
for payment. So I put both works to press, the " New 
Harmony of the Four Gospels in English," and the com- 
mentary, under the unpretentious title, " Notes on the 
Gospel of Matthew." 

The printers pushed their work vigorously, but much 
delay was caused by the several proof-readings and the 
arranging of parallel columns. The patience of both 
compositors and proof-readers was severely tried, and 
their language, I was told, was not always suited to 
clerical ears. It was not till the middle of March that the 
" Harmony " appeared, and " Notes on Matthew " did 
not come out till the middle of June. 

Both volumes were favorably received, especially the 
" Harmony," which at once enjoyed an encouraging sale. 
Among others, the " Sunday School Times " gave a flat- 
tering notice of the " Harmony." On the twentieth of 



I36 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

April, 1 87 1, I attended an educational convention in 
Brooklyn, and met Dr. J. A. Broadus for the first time. 
I gave him a copy of the " Harmony " for examination. 
He had been using Dr. Edward Robinson's " Harmony " 
in teaching the English New Testament in the South- 
ern Theological Seminary. But he now decided to adopt 
this new " Harmony " as a text-book, and gave a large 
order for copies. For over twenty years he continued 
its use, and his great influence did much in extending the 
circulation of both the " Harmony " and " Notes on the 
Gospels." For his many kind words spoken in their 
behalf I hold him in grateful remembrance. 

But while the outlook was very propitious and I was 
bending all my energy in preparing my commentary on 
Mark, making it a volume independent of Matthew, a 
dark shadow fell upon the publishing work by the great 
fire in Chicago, which began October seventh, 1871, and 
continued till Tuesday morning, October tenth. Chicago 
had been the best market for my books. My most enter- 
prising publisher was there. A Sunday-school publisher 
was also doing much in selling the " Harmony." The 
fire burned them out completely, and they lost almost 
everything. Not only was the Chicago trade reduced 
almost to nothing, but I received but little of what was 
owing me. A note of two hundred dollars went to pro- 
test a week after the fire, and several hundred dollars 
more was never paid. I found it necessary to go into the 
bank and negotiate for over a thousand dollars to meet 
the demands of my creditors. It became a source of 
great inconvenience and anxiety. 

It was about this time that the American Baptist 
Publication Society appointed a committee to examine 
my " Notes on Matthew " in connection with another 
similar work, as already related. The committee having 
made a favorable report, the secretary, B. Griffith, D. D., 



WORK ON COMMENTARY 1 37 

wrote me as to terms whereby the Society might become 
the publisher of the volume. An arrangement was entered 
into — the Society publishing the commentary, paying me 
a liberal royalty, and I still owning the plates. I continued 
the entire control of the " Harmony of the Gospels," 
going to the entire expense of its publication. 

In the spring of 1872 I had " Notes on Mark " ready 
for the press. I had bestowed upon it much labor, 
making it independent of " Notes on Matthew." At 
the end of the volume I added a " Year in Mark," con- 
sisting of fifty- two lessons on that Gospel, designed to 
excite a more diligent study of the second Gospel, and 
to bring it up to at least a common level, in the popular 
heart, with the other Evangelists. The volume came out 
at the close of 1872 with the imprint of the American 
Baptist Publication Society, under the same arrange- 
ment as that of Matthew. The volume was favorably 
received, and had an encouraging sale. 

With 1873 I began to feel the effect of my manifold 
labors. I saw that the time would soon come when I 
must lighten my burdens. Several ways were suggested. 
Some friends in New York and New Jersey proposed 
that I should give up my pastorate and devote myself 
entirely to my commentary. Pledges were made toward 
my support, amounting to a thousand dollars a year to 
continue several years. I said I would do so if one thou- 
sand, five hundred dollars a year was guaranteed. But 
friends in the Publication Society recommended that I 
take a less laborious pastorate. I felt that I was not 
ready for either — that my work at Ballston was such 
that I must remain another year. While these things 
were going on, and I was considering what to do, the 
question was providentially settled by an unexpected 
call to become pastor at Somerville, New Jersey. Of 
this I shall speak later. 



I38 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

While at Ballston I was several times very pleasantly 
recognized lpy my brethren in a public way. On June 
28, 1870, I preached the opening sermon from Romans 
7 : 25 before the Saratoga Baptist Association at North- 
ville, New York, and was chosen moderator. The Asso- 
ciation at that time consisted of twenty-four churches, 
with a total membership of three thousand, six hundred 
and fifty-four. 

In May, 1871, I attended the closing exercises and 
commencement of Rochester Theological Seminary, as 
one of the Examining Committee. I served on this com- 
mittee four years, one year after going to New Jersey. 
I thus came into close contact with Dr. E. G. Robinson, 
my former instructor in theology; with Dr. H. B. 
Hackett, the eminent New Testament philologist, who 
treated me with great kindness and showed great interest 
in my literary work; and with Dr. Augustus H. Strong, 
who became the worthy and able president of the semi- 
nary in 1872. 

In May, 1871, I also attended the commencement at 
Hamilton (since Colgate University) by invitation, and 
made one of the addresses at the alumni dinner. On 
the fourth of August I was moderator of the Council 
at Amsterdam, New York, which ordained William M. 
Lawrence pastor of the Baptist church in that city. 
Brother Lawrence has since then become eminent in 
very useful and successful pastorates in Philadelphia, 
Chicago, and Orange, New Jersey. 

On October 22, 1872, I attended the Pastoral Con- 
ference of the State of New York at Gloversville, and 
read a paper on " The Scope of Effective Sunday-school 
Instruction." This appeared in the October number of 
the " Baptist Quarterly," 1877. 

On the thirteenth of February, 1873, I was moderator 
of a Council at Galway, New York, which ordained 



WORK ON COMMENTARY 139 

John Humpstone to the Baptist ministry. Brother Hump- 
stone has been a highly honored pastor in Brooklyn, 
New York, for many years. 

The following letter explains itself: 

Rochester, July 6, 1872. 

My Dear Sir: It becomes my duty and pleasure to inform 
you that the University of Rochester, at its last Commencement 
on the third inst, conferred upon you the honorary degree of 
Doctor of Divinity. The trustees and faculty have taken this 
action in view of long and faithful Christian labor made 
efficient by earnest and successful studies in Exegesis. Per- 
sonally, I beg leave to ask that you will give us your sym- 
pathy and cooperation in the arduous work in which we are 
engaged. Yours very truly, 

M. B. Anderson. 

I have already referred to special meetings during the 
first three months of 1873, first at the church in the vil- 
lage, then in the Seaman Schoolhouse, and at the East 
Line. Much religious interest and the conversion of 
souls attended these efforts. When the month of April 
came I found needed rest. The breaking up of winter, 
muddy roads, and bad traveling made it an opportune 
time to be away a few days, as the congregations would 
not be of usual size for a Sunday or two. I took advan- 
tage of circumstances, and made a ten days' visit to 
friends in New Jersey. 

While here I preached on Sunday, April twentieth, 
for the church at Somerville. Nothing was then said 
to me about becoming pastor of the church, and such a 
thing was farthest from my thoughts. 

The latter part of the same week I returned to Ball- 
ston, and was in my own pulpit the following Sunday. I 
continued to perfect my plans for my next fall and 
winter work in the village and surrounding country. But 



140 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

some time in the month of May I received a call to the 
pastorate of the church at Somerville. This was a great 
surprise and entirely unexpected. But the call came 
in such a way that I felt I must give it my prayerful 
consideration. And, on making another visit, I was 
deeply impressed that I had a work here to do, and that 
the Lord had placed before me an open door. 

During all my labors at Ballston I had felt that in 
due time I would return to New Jersey, and perhaps 
occupy a smaller field, where I could devote more time 
to my commentary. But the time came sooner than I 
expected. On June twenty-fifth I resigned my pastorate 
at Ballston to take effect on September first. 

During the two months that remained to my pastorate 
I was very busy both in the village and in the country 
school districts. I endeavored to make my work as com- 
plete as possible, so that the church should receive no 
detriment by my leaving, and be in the very best con- 
dition for my successor. My last Sunday was August 
thirty-first. By a special vote of the church the Lord's 
Supper was observed in the morning, and I preached my 
last discourse as pastor from Hebrews 12: 1, 2. Though 
it rained a little in the morning, the church was filled to 
its utmost capacity. The day before there was a large 
attendance at the covenant meeting. In the evening 
Rev. John Humpstone, of Galway, preached, and the 
service closed with a parting hymn by the choir and 
congregation. Thus ended one of the pleasantest pas- 
torates of earth. 

I spent two or three days in visiting among the peo- 
ple, preaching in the Rowley Schoolhouse Wednesday 
evening from 1 Corinthians 3:11, and left with my 
family Thursday, September fourth, by evening train 
and Albany boat for New York, and arrived the next 
dav at Somerville. 



XIX 

THE SOMERVILLE PASTORATE 

SOMERVILLE, the county-seat of Somerset County, 
was at that time a beautiful village of about four 
thousand inhabitants. One mile to the west was Rari- 
tan, a village of one thousand, eight hundred inhabitants. 
In these two villages there were three large Reformed 
churches, the whole region having been originally set- 
tled by Hollanders. There was a Roman Catholic church 
in Raritan, that being a manufacturing town; a small 
Methodist church in each village, and a small Episcopal 
church in Somerville. 

The Baptist meeting-house was situated at the west end 
of Somerville so as to accommodate members of the 
church living in Raritan. The church was organized in 
1843, and during its first pastorate, that of Rev. Henry 
C. Fish, which continued five and a half years, it attained 
a membership of ninety-two. For twenty-five years after 
this the membership varied but little as to numbers, some- 
times above and sometimes below one hundred. But 
Somerville was a staid community, where generation 
after generation had been trained in the Reformed faith 
and practice, and where every one had his church rela- 
tions definitely fixed. Plodding and persistent toil was 
needed, and progress was necessarily slow. Baptists, as 
a rule, became such through positive convictions. The 
Baptist church, however, though small, held a respect- 
able position in the community. Its membership was 
made up of people of sterling worth and of decided 
piety. On all moral and religious questions they gave 

141 



142 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

forth no uncertain sound. From the beginning of the 
church there were men among them of standing and in- 
fluence in the town. I well remember my surprise at the 
first prayer-meeting I attended, to see more men than 
women present. This was not an uncommon occurrence 
in that little church. 

Our meetings both on Sundays and week-days were 
held in the basement of the new edifice, which was not 
yet completed. The old one on Main Street had been 
built with poor mortar, and had been condemned as un- 
safe. The lot had been sold, and the brick had been 
used in the new house on High Street. The parsonage 
on Main Street had also been sold, and a new one was 
promised to be built on the church property on High 
Street! The new house was completed at an expense of 
fifteen thousand dollars and dedicated free from debt on 
December 4, 1873. The new parsonage was built dur- 
ing the autumn and winter, and the pastor and family 
occupied it April 1, 1874. We had hoped to have it also 
free from debt, but the great financial depression of 1873 
prevented raising the money, and a debt of over three 
thousand dollars was left on the property. 

The prospects of the church were excellent. The 
activity and cooperation of the members and their friends 
was inspiring. The Sunday-school was in good condi- 
tion, and there was a large attendance of the young upon 
the church services. The new meeting-house doubtless 
was an impetus to church attendance. Besides, there 
were several large families in the church, and their 
young people had a drawing influence upon others. Just 
before a Sunday evening service in the summer of 1874 
I counted twenty-six horses and buggies belonging to 
those who had come to the service. Often every seat 
was occupied, and the aisles were filled with chairs to 
accommodate the congregation. 



THE SOMERVILLE PASTORATE 1 43 

Under these circumstances I determined to give special 
attention to the young. The first Sunday evening of 
each month was devoted to them by use of special preach- 
ing or a quarterly concert or a service for the Sunday- 
school. Attention was given to congregational singing, 
and occasionally a praise service was held on a Sunday 
evening. Variety was sought in all our services, and 
sameness, running in grooves, as far as possible, was 
avoided. Church socials were held now and then, at 
which all classes and ages could meet and know one 
another better. Hand-shaking was encouraged after our 
services. The people did not hurry out from church, 
but stopped to greet one another and learn of one an- 
other's welfare. So the interest did not abate, but rather 
increased. Attachments were formed and strengthened 
for the church and the people. It was not the preacher 
so much as the religious and social influence which drew 
and kept up the congregations. 

The spiritual tide was evidently rising, and after the 
dedication of the church, it seemed evident that great 
blessings were in store for us. The spirit of prayer 
and the desire for the salvation of souls was on the 
increase. The week of prayer was observed with much 
interest in connection with other churches of the town. 
A special meeting of prayer of great power was also 
held by our own people. 

My own feelings became intense. The Sunday evening 
service, January n, 1874, was of profound interest. I 
can recall no service of greater solemnity during my pas- 
torate in Somerville. Many remembered it, and years 
afterward referred to it. An after-meeting was held. 
Fervent prayers were offered. Christians asked prayers 
for themselves and for their unconverted friends. It was 
decided to hold some extra meetings as the Spirit might 
direct. 



144 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

For two months we held, in addition to our Sabbath 
services, four or five evening meetings a week. The 
weather was often unpleasant and the walking muddy. 
The street was somewhat new, and the sidewalks were 
not all finished. Yet the people came in large numbers. 
Some Sundays were stormy, but the house was always 
open, and there was always a service; and some of the 
best meetings were held when the weather was most for- 
bidding. The work was quite largely among young 
married people. Over fifty professed conversion, and 
forty-five were baptized into the fellowship of the church. 

The spiritual condition of the church continued good 
through the summer and autumn; and as the winter 
approached there were signs of a renewal of blessings, 
an increase of prayer and Christian activity. Extra meet- 
ings were held in January and February. At the com- 
munion, the first Sunday of March, thirteen who had 
been recently baptized received the hand of fellowship. 
There were others who professed conversion or were 
inquiring. 

The month of March was spent in looking after young 
converts and inquirers. But while very busy and most 
hopeful I was suddenly stricken down from my work. 
At the close of the extra meetings I had felt a physical 
reaction, a certain " goneness " indescribable. I was get- 
ting back to my normal condition, when I took a cold, 
which developed into a slight attack of pneumonia. I 
was forty-four years old, and I afterward learned that 
it was a critical period of weakness in my family. My 
grandfather, Edward Clark, died of similar disease at 
that age. My father also had pneumonia at the same 
age, and suffered weakness from it for more than a year. 
I little thought when taken down, as it seemed very slight, 
that I should suffer the results from it a much longer 
time. 




MRS. G. W. CLARK 



THE SOMERVILLE PASTORATE 1 45 

In a few weeks I began to mend, and on the twenty- 
fifth of April I went to church in the morning and 
preached. Thus I brought on a recurrence of fever, 
which subsided in a few days, but developed an over- 
worked and irritated brain, especially on the left side. 
The doctors told me it would take a long time to recover, 
and advised me to give up all thought of hard study 
and literary work. Such news was a terrible shock to 
my feelings. Never had my prospects been brighter. To 
be laid aside in the midst of cheering and fruitful labor, 
to be unable to go about, or even to sit up, for months, 
to give up plans and hopes, simply to do nothing and 
perhaps to bring my active life to a close — the thought 
was almost unbearable! I had often consoled the af- 
flicted and advised submission to the Divine Will. I 
now found it was one thing to preach and quite another 
thing to practise ! For nearly five months I was compelled 
to keep my bed, not being able to sit up without great 
pain in the head. After I began to sit up it was only 
with heroic effort that I increased the length of time from 
day to day. It took four months before I could sit up 
all day. To do this was one of the greatest struggles 
of my life. To walk down-stairs seemed a herculean 
task, accomplished only after many days. For a year I 
read only the captions of papers and books, and wrote 
scarcely a postal. Mrs. Clark often read to me, and 
thus kept me a little informed of what was going on in 
the outside world. 

During the whole time of my sickness and convales- 
cence my church showed me great kindness and sym- 
pathy. And it was not confined to them nor to the 
congregation. About fifty of my brethren, pastors of 
churches in the Central and East New Jersey Associa- 
tions, volunteered to give each a Sunday, and thus 
supply my pulpit for a year. Many of these who then 



I46 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

were in good health and who looked upon my condition 
as almost hopeless, and thought my life-work done, have 
passed away, while I still live in the enjoyment of good 
health. One still living, on meeting me exclaimed: " You 
seem to me almost a miracle ; I never thought you would 
be able to preach again." 

The many months that I was shut up in my room, or 
shut out from active work, gave me time for reflection. 
I saw that for twelve years I had scarcely given myself 
a day's rest. My study, my people, my pulpit, and my 
many meetings had so taken my whole time as to take 
me almost entirely from my family. I saw that I had not 
given to the Lord or to myself the seventh part of my 
time for rest as I ought. I recalled how the children 
of Judah had neglected and profaned their Sabbaths, 
and they were given over to captivity, to " fulfil the word 
of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land 
had enjoyed its Sabbaths: for as long as it lay desolate 
it kept Sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years."^ It 
occurred forcibly to me that perhaps I would be laid 
aside until I should make up the rest days that I had 
omitted. 

I reviewed my preaching and the truths I had pre- 
sented. I saw that I had been falling into the currents of 
the times, in overlooking repentance too much while 
enjoining faith in Jesus Christ; that in dwelling upon the 
love of God I had sometimes passed over the severer 
doctrines of the word. I resolved that if I ever returned 
to the pastorate I would emphasize " repentance toward 
God " as well as " faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ," 
and " knowing the fear of the Lord I would persuade 
men." 

As the spring of 1876 came on I began to ride out 
and walk about. I could read and write to a limited extent, 
but could not converse without pain in the head. It was 



THE SOMERVILLE PASTORATE 147 

determined that I should spend the summer in Vermont. 
So with the beginning of June I went to Halifax, Ver- 
mont, with my family, which consisted of my wife and 
four children, and occupied the homestead of my father- 
in-law. It was one thousand, nine hundred feet above the 
level of the sea, with scenery equaling almost that of the 
Alps. The splendid views of hills, mountains, and val- 
leys; the pure, cool, bracing air; the healthful spring 
water; and the restful quiet of the country did me great 
good. I found myself gaining daily though slowly in 
brain and nerve. 

Halifax had once been a thriving town, but it had 
decreased by more than half of its population. The 
churches as a consequence had suffered depletion. Some 
had become extinct. The Baptist church at the Center 
had lost by deaths and removals. It was without pastor, 
prayer-meeting, and Sunday-school. The people seemed 
discouraged or indifferent. We had often witnessed 
here good congregations, and all appointments kept up 
when Elder Fish was pastor, but now there seemed 
to be spiritual desolation. Three Sabbaths passed with 
no meeting, all quiet like the stillness of death. We could 
endure it no longer. Mrs. Clark and I borrowed a horse 
and buggy and called upon some members of the church 
and congregation, and arranged for a prayer and praise 
meeting the next Sunday. A goodly number assembled. 
I led the meeting, speaking only a minute or two. One 
of the brethren read a passage of Scripture and prayed. 
Others took part in conference, prayer, or singing. My 
oldest daughter, Carrie, who was getting up a class in 
music, played the organ and led the singing. The people 
were interested, and concluded to revive the Sunday- 
school and hold a similar meeting next Sunday. 

In the meantime we obtained from Brattleboro a num- 
ber of the Moody and Sankey Gospel Hymns, No. I, 



I48 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

which were new here. They added much to the interest 
of our meetings. Thus we continued with an occasional 
sermon from some one till the first of October. It was 
soon found that there were inquirers. Several asked 
the prayers of Christians for themselves. Mrs. Clark 
held a weekly meeting at our home for young converts 
and those anxious for their souls' salvation. The Spirit 
was at work with convicting and converting power. Rev. 
H. C. Fish, of Newark, New Jersey, visited this, his 
native place, the first of September, baptized seven con- 
verts, preached, and broke bread. Others were ready 
for the ordinance. 

We always look back with pleasure to that summer in 
Halifax. It was a bright spot in our days of afflictions. 
It was a joy to feel that God was still willing to work 
through us. Blessings came to our own household, and 
to many other homes. We left for Somerville on the 
seventh of October. Before leaving, we arranged that 
the church should be supplied with preaching. The peo- 
ple were encouraged and hopeful. The influence of those 
meetings and God's work was felt for many days. 

While my health was greatly improved, it was not 
deemed prudent by my physician and by my brethren that 
I resume preaching. This I am convinced was the 
wisest course, and contributed to the extension of life and 
to enlarged usefulness. When one is severely broken down 
it pays to take time to recover. It seemed best to limit 
myself to pastoral work, to occasional brief expositions 
of Scripture from the pulpit, and to short addresses at 
prayer-meetings. Pastoral work was a pleasure, and brief 
expositions of Scripture a delight. Time passed pleas- 
antly with daily contact with my people and personal 
work from house to house. I did this in a limited way, 
always careful not to go beyond my strength and to 
stop when I began to be weary. This also tended to 









THE SOMERVILLE PASTORATE 1 49 

satisfy my people, who were ever ready to protest when- 
ever I spoke of resigning my pastorate. 

I was fortunate to obtain as an assistant Rev. H. W. 
Jones, who had lately resigned at East Elizabeth, on ac- 
count of the great financial depression which had caused 
the removal of many members of his church and thrown 
others out of employment. He preached for me six 
months on Sundays, except when the pulpit was other- 
wise providentially provided for. He then was called 
to be pastor at Bordentown, New Jersey, where he did 
a good work. He afterward labored in Pennsylvania 
and Ohio. 

In my pastoral work I soon discovered that there 
was yet a harvest to be gathered. I at once thought of 
the evangelist, Rev. H. G. DeWitt. As I had engaged 
him to assist me at Ballston, but had disappointed him by 
leaving before the time came and removing to Somer- 
ville, I concluded to write him at a venture. He replied 
that he would come immediately after Thanksgiving. 

He preached two Sundays and ten week-day evenings. 
Other churches in the town were blessed as well as our 
own. After he left a deep interest continued. After- 
meetings were held on Sunday evenings, and an increase 
of prayer-meetings during the week. Many professed 
conversion. Great care was taken in receiving them for 
baptism. It is better and easier to keep unworthy and 
unconverted persons out of the church than to get them 
out when once they are in. During the months of Decem- 
ber and January thirty were baptized. On December 
thirty-first I baptized my only son, George, and my 
second daughter, Bertha. The latter, I think, was con- 
verted in the meetings at Halifax, Vermont, the summer 
preceding. My youngest daughter, Lillie, was greatly 
interested in the meetings, and perhaps was then the sub- 
ject of the renewing grace of God, though a few years 



150 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

after this, when she made an open profession, she dated 
her conversion to a later time. 

Each year the church and congregation gave me a 
donation visit. These visits were exceedingly pleasant. 
The church and congregation came together socially and 
religiously. A common interest in one another and in 
their pastor was fostered. I greatly appreciated their 
gifts and the spirit in which they were made. This year, 
1877, tne v i s ft was made on the first day of February. 
The attendance was large, and the gifts unusually gener- 
ous. Social and Christian fellowship united in making it 
most enjoyable. 

With the beginning of my Somerville pastorate I re- 
sumed my commentary work with renewed zeal. From 
sixteen to twenty hours a week was devoted to this work. 
Never did I enjoy this and all my labors more. I felt 
that I was in just the place God would have me. When 
I was laid aside I was near the completion of " Notes on 
the Gospel of Luke." For a year I was unable to give 
scarcely any attention to writing or to the business or 
management of my works. Mrs. Clark attended to my 
correspondence and necessary business. 

But things could not go on in this way ; I must lighten 
responsibility and throw off care and business. I there- 
fore authorized Dr. H. C. Fish, of Newark, to sell the 
plates of the " Harmony of the Gospels," " Notes on 
Matthew," and " Notes on Mark," reserving for me the 
royalty usually given to authors. Accordingly, he sold 
them to the American Baptist Publication Society, De- 
cember, 1875, at a reasonable and satisfactory figure, 
with the understanding that the Society would be at the 
whole expense of publishing Notes on Luke and John 
when ready. I at once arranged with Dr. J. W. Will- 
marth, Prof. H. Harvey, D. D., and Prof. George R. 
Bliss, D. D., to assist in the completion of Luke. The 



THE SOMERVILLE PASTORATE 151 

entire manuscript on Luke was put into the hands of Dr. 
George W. Anderson, the book editor of the Publication 
Society, early in June, who gave it a final and careful 
reading. The volume was published in the autumn of 
1876. 

During the winter and spring of 1877 the Somerville 
church was enjoying a high state of spiritual prosperity. 
The Sunday congregations were large ; the Sunday-school 
had never been better, and the prayer-meetings were full 
of interest. Church work was increasing on my hands. 
While I could attend to pastoral calling and oversight, 
I saw much more was needed in public preaching and 
instruction. Rev. H. W. Jones, my assistant for six 
months, accepted the pastorate at Bordentown. For 
preaching we must depend on supplies for a year or more 
before it would be prudent for me to preach and enter 
fully upon the work of the pastorate. Feelings of re- 
sponsibility pressed upon me, and anxiety lest the cause 
should suffer. The young converts needed to be trained, 
and the unsaved to be reached. In view of all this I felt 
I ought to surrender my work to other hands. I talked 
over the matter with my deacons. At first they thought 
I need give myself no concern, since the church was get- 
ting along so well. I, however, insisted and they with- 
drew objections. 

Thus closed a brief but a very eventful pastorate of 
one of the best of churches. Sacred indeed are the mem- 
ories that cluster around that people and my work among 
them. The very thought of those days and of the love 
and generous kindness shown me, calls forth a most 
grateful response, and fills my heart with praise to God. 
And it proved to be my last pastorate. This I did not 
anticipate at the time. It seemed very plain that I 
should give up pastoral work for the present. This was 
the work of my choice, and I stood ready to reenter it 



152 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

whenever God should make it plainly my duty. For over 
twenty-one years I had been pastor, changing from one 
church to another without a single day intervening. My 
last two pastorates had come to me without my seeking. 
In both cases the door opened and duty was plain. Now 
I did not feel at liberty to seek a pastorate or choose my 
work. I felt that God would choose for me, and make 
my duty so plain that I could not mistake it. And I 
think he has, but sometimes, it seems to me, I have fol- 
lowed very far off and at a very slow gait. 



XX 

THE INTERIM 

THE interim covers a period of three years between 
pastoral work and missionary work with the Amer- 
ican Baptist Publication Society. Early in 1877 I went 
with my family to Halifax, Vermont, where I spent five 
months, living as in the preceding year at the homestead 
of my father-in-law, Elder Samuel Fish. Here I looked 
after the farm in a general way, superintended repairs 
upon the house, and gave a little time to general reading 
and study. My daughter Carrie taught the public school, 
the summer term, and gave music lessons to several 
pupils. The Baptist church was in a much better con- 
dition than the year before, and had regular preaching. 
There was a good interest in the Sunday-school. 

Many are the incidents that linger in my memory. But 
nothing impressed me so much as the last visit of Rev. 
H. C. Fish to his native town during the latter part of 
August. I met him at Shelburne Falls with horse and 
buggy and brought him to our home, and with us and 
his brother James near-by he passed most of his time. 
We were surprised to see him somewhat emaciated and 
lacking in his usual vigor. There was a foreshadowing 
of the end near at hand. He was doing his last work, 
and taking a final adieu of the scenes of his early years. 

On Sunday, August nineteenth, he preached from Acts 
25:12: "Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Csesar 
shalt thou go." It was a simple, pointed, and solemn dis- 
course to the unconverted, which some present will never 
forget. Only once after this did he preach, two weeks 

153 



154 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

later at Shelburne, Massachusetts. A day or so later we 
took him where the old meeting-house of his childhood 
and youth stood. He carefully described where his father 
preached for many years, and spoke of the precious re- 
vivals there enjoyed. We then went to the baptizing- 
place, in a stream a few rods distant. He pointed to the 
spot where his father stood when administering the ordi- 
nance; stepping upon a stone near the middle of the 
stream, he pointed close by, saying : " Just about there 
is the place where I was baptized about forty years ago 
last January." 

The last day before he left he went with me to the 
barn, and pointed out an upper loft where he was wont, 
when a boy, to retire for prayer. "J got away as far 
as I could," said he, " so no one would see me. How 
strange it is that the devil makes us so afraid of duty." 
Early the next morning he left for Brattleboro to see his 
aged father, then nearly ninety years of age. He bade 
us adieu from the stage, and looking back at the old 
homestead, he said pleasantly to us, " Keep up good 
cheer," and passed on, never to look again upon the 
home of his childhood. 

Little did I think two years before, when he kindly 
ministered to me in my weakness, that he would be 
called home before me. But daily he grew weaker. After 
remaining a few weeks at Shelburne he went to his 
home in Newark, where he passed away gloriously in 
the triumphs of faith. 

While Doctor Fish was on this last visit to Halifax he 
arranged with me to act as agent in the State of New 
Jersey for his last publication, " Bible Lands Illustrated." 
This I did for three years, and it yielded me considerable 
revenue. Previous to this he had helped me to arrange 
with several scholarly brethren for preparatory work on 
the Gospel of John. Their contributions were of great 



THE INTERIM 155 

value, which I revised, brought together, and wrought 
into unity. Thus I was able to bring out my Commentary 
on John in the spring of 1879. It seemed therefore fit- 
ting that I should dedicate it to him. 

I returned to Somerville on the sixteenth of October. 
My health was improved, but I was not yet able to speak 
loud enough or long enough to preach. I received a 
hearty welcome from many friends, and at once turned 
my attention to business as I was able. During the 
autumn and winter I visited Plainfield, Flemington, and 
New Brunswick, and did considerable in the sale of 
Doctor Fish's " Bible Lands Illustrated." I also re- 
ceived orders for family Bibles and for my own pub- 
lications. By these means I was able to pay my rent and 
support my family. 

As the spring of 1878 drew near I was advised by my 
physician to continue outdoor work and to live in the 
open air as much as possible. I bought a horse and 
carriage, and in my own conveyance continued my book 
business in the State of New Jersey. From the middle 
of April to the first of December I passed through six- 
teen counties, traveling three thousand miles and visiting 
eighty Baptist churches and Sunday-schools, and many 
preachers and Sunday-school workers of other denomina- 
tions. I was kindly received everywhere. Besides dis- 
posing of a large number of " Bible Lands Illustrated," 
I sold eight hundred copies of my own works. ' 

My health continued to improve so that I preached a 
short discourse in the Baptist church at Toms River on 
Sunday evening July fourteenth — the first sermon for 
three and a quarter years. Between this time and December 
I preached at Deckertown (now Sussex), Bloomingdale, 
Imlaystown, Baptisttown, Salem, and Bridgeton. My 
preaching was simply talks, without taking any other part 
of the service. This was indeed the measure of my 



156 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

nervous strength. I adopted a quiet, conversational style 
of speaking, which I have continued ever since, as best 
suited to me. It has much to commend it. It gives ease 
and self-possession, and often is most effective in gain- 
ing the ears and hearts of the hearers, and taking hold 
of their sympathies. 

During the winter that followed I worked very moder- 
ately, visiting a few places on business, and preached 
six times. At home I did some studying, getting out my 
Commentary on the Gospel of John, and going over the 
Acts of the Apostles in the Greek. 

In the spring I started with my own conveyance to 
complete the work which I had left unfinished the year 
before. In addition to my book business I visited pastors 
and churches in the interest of the New Jersey Baptist 
State Convention. I drove to South Jersey, where I 
remained a month. Then I went into northern Jersey, 
and, passing into New York State, I spent a Sunday 
with a college classmate, Rev. Daniel C. Litchfield, at 
Warwick, New York. July found me a few days at my 
home in Somerville, where I preached to my former 
people, Sunday, July fifth, from Matthew 15:21-28 — the 
first full discourse I had given them for over four years. 

During this season I attended the North Baptist Asso- 
ciation, which convened at Deckertown (now Sussex) in 
June ; the West Baptist Association at Greenwich in Sep- 
tember ; and the Central Baptist Association at Somerville 
in October. At each of these I made an address in behalf 
of the missionary work of the State Convention. The 
last week in October the State Convention held its 
fiftieth anniversary with the First Baptist Church of 
New Brunswick. I reported my work for the conven- 
tion to the Board, especially among non-contributing 
churches, and recommended an enlargement of the work 
and the employment of a general State missionary, or 



THE INTERIM 157 

missionaries for evangelistic work in destitute fields and 
weak churches. This has been carried out very effect- 
ively of late years under Rev. D. Dewolf and several 
evangelists. 

In the autumn I began to preach occasionally twice a 
day on Sunday. This was sometimes a severe task. I 
remember that I was compelled to stop in the middle of 
my evening discourse at Jacobstown, and ask Rev. A. J. 
Hay, the pastor, to finish the service, which he did with a 
few remarks. This was the only time I abruptly ended 
my sermon, though I found it necessary several times 
to shorten my discourse, to the gratification of my hearers, 
it may be. 

My preaching then and ever since has been without 
manuscript. My eyesight seemed a little defective for 
reading, without closely confining myself to my notes. 
I adopted the plan of thinking over my discourse with- 
out writing, carrying the divisions and subdivisions in 
my mind, and allowing considerable freedom in clustering 
thoughts and illustrations around them. Most of my ser- 
mons were expository or semiexpository ; the Scripture 
itself afforded the most natural guide both to the train 
of thought and to the lessons enforced. The conver- 
sational style which I had adopted seemed better fitted 
to extemporaneous than to written address. 

With the beginning of 1880 I felt I ought to give my- 
self more fully to the active work of the ministry, as 
pastor or stated supply. Preaching twice a day was a 
considerable strain upon the brain. I could not do it 
without some suffering and much weariness. Still I re- 
solved to continue preaching quietly as the Lord gave 
me opportunity, without anxiety about myself. 

Early in March I was at Roselle. Here I found old 
friends who had been members of my church or con- 
gregation at Elizabeth. The question was broached 



I58 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

whether I would become pastor of the Baptist church 
there. I supplied them two or three Sundays, and on 
the last Sunday the senior deacon wished to call the 
church together in order to invite me to take their pas- 
torate. I asked them to wait a little, as another matter 
had just been brought to my attention. 

The week preceding I had received a letter from Geo. 
J. Johnson, D. D., Missionary Secretary of the American 
Baptist Publication Society, in reference to entering their 
service, and I had arranged to meet Doctor Johnson on 
Monday morning following at the Publication Society's 
rooms in New York. The meeting took place, and we 
discussed the matter in its practical bearings. 

I had longingly looked forward to another pastorate. 
I could take a small church. The duties at Roselle would 
be less arduous than any of my pastorates except the first. 
And I could be home with my family instead of being 
away the greater part of the time. But then the work 
on the field and in the open air, such as the service 
of the Society afforded, was what I needed for building 
up my health. Besides, this had come to me unex- 
pectedly. It seemed, coming as it did at that time, a 
remarkable providence. I decided to enter the Society's 
service, and in a few days I received an appointment as 
General Colporter and Collecting Agent in the State of 
New Jersey, work to begin on the first of April. Special 
attention was to be given to the missionary work during 
spring, summer, and autumn, and to secretary or col- 
lecting work during the unpleasant and winter months. 



XXI 



IN THE MISSIONARY WORK OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST 
PUBLICATION SOCIETY 

MY traveling and business experience throughout the 
State of New Jersey during the two preceding 
years was a good preparation for my work. I knew New 
Jersey and its people well. Few knew it better; none 
loved it more. While realizing that the field was the 
world, my heart went out especially for my country and 
my own State. 

I began at once to give attention to mission fields, weak 
churches, and needy Sunday-schools. During eight 
months I traveled over three thousand miles in my own 
conveyance, visiting forty-five churches and Sunday- 
schools on the Lord's Day, and over thirty others in the 
weektime. The remaining four months were devoted 
to securing contributions for the Society's missionary 
work. The amount of collections to the Society was more 
than doubled. By pursuing a more general plan the next 
year, and not limiting my efforts for contributions to the 
winter months, that amount was trebled. During this first 
year I preached one hundred times, made twenty-seven 
addresses, and gave forty talks to Sunday-schools ; sold 
or gave away four hundred and twenty-eight copies of 
Scripture, seven hundred volumes of books, and dis- 
tributed three thousand, four hundred pages of tracts. I 
found some time for reading and for study during the 
winter months. 

The Society gave me large liberty in choosing and plan- 
ning my missionary work within reasonable bounds. I 

159 



l60 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

sought variety in my work, not doing the same thing 
year after year. One year I gave special attention to 
Sunday-schools, another to feeble churches and destitute 
fields, another to supplying Bible destitution, another to 
the distribution of good books and tracts, another to the 
foreign population of the State, and so on. The Society 
celebrated the Robert Raikes Sunday-school Centenary in 
1880. This fitted in nicely with my Sunday-school work 
of that and the following year. I endeavored to arouse 
increased interest and enthusiasm and made prominent 
the fact that the Publication Society was the great Sun- 
day-school society of the denomination. I made sug- 
gestions in methods of instruction and improvements in 
the conduct and work of the school; upon the use of 
papers and Sunday-school libraries, and upon the study 
of the Bible and the use of helps. Naturally this resulted 
in an increased interest in the Society, and seventy schools 
promised an annual collection for its missionary work, 
and many others made contributions. This prepared the 
way for the hearty cooperation with the Society in observ- 
ing Children's Day in 1884 and every year since then. 

During one of these early years I visited Lafayette in 
Sussex County, where I found a Baptist church without 
Sunday services, Sunday-school, or prayer-meeting. 
Under their last pastor they had attempted to repair and 
build, but, he leaving, they had been unable to finish. 
Their house of worship had been removed from its foun- 
dation and left on timbers, exposed to the weather and 
going to decay. The church was thoroughly discouraged 
and about ready to disband. I visited them in their 
homes and found some disheartened, others indifferent, 
and a few longing and praying for better days. On 
Sunday afternoon I preached to them in the Presbyterian 
church. Soon after I reported their condition to the New 
Jersey Baptist Association, with which they were nomi- 



MISSIONARY WORK OF A. B. P. S. l6l 

nally connected. A committee was appointed to visit 
them, resulting in raising money among them and in the 
Association. The meeting-house was very soon moved 
upon its foundation, repaired, and made ready for use. 
A few days before its re-dedication I visited them again, 
and on Sunday afternoon I preached to a larger congre- 
gation than I had on the former visit. A cheerful, buoy- 
ant spirit pervaded the audience, and hope and thankful- 
ness filled all hearts. A church had been saved with 
untold possibilities of doing good. A Sunday-school was 
organized which began to work in the new house on the 
following Sunday. The Publication Society donated a 
library and lesson helps. 

Over twenty years have passed since then, but the 
church maintains its Sunday-school and the regular Sun- 
day and week-day services. Faithful pastors have served 
them, and souls have been born into the kingdom. The 
church maintains a good standing in the community; 
various benevolent objects are remembered by stated 
offerings, and its influence is extending by means of a 
mission Sunday-school and mission station. 

In my collecting work, I endeavored to instruct the 
churches in systematic benevolence — that every church 
should adopt some system, and then, that a system would 
not run itself, -it must have the pastor, or a committee, 
to run it. A number of churches adopted systems, but 
strange to say, some divided the year into four parts, 
thus necessitating the passing over of at least one de- 
nominational object, it might be ministerial education, 
Bible work, or the Publication Society's missionary work ! 

I was accustomed to correspond with all the pastors and 
ascertain how many would attend to the benevolent 
collections. I occasionally found one who felt unable to 
take a collection or to carry out the details of a system; 
some who had no idea of a system ; some who lacked cour- 



1 62 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

age to take a contribution; and some who strangely felt 
that every dollar given for outside objects was just so 
much taken from their own support, or from church home 
work. Said one pastor with great solemnity, as he handed 
me a generous collection from his own church, " This is 
just so much from my own salary ! " I noted, however, 
the fact that those churches looked after their pastors the 
best which were generous in their contributions to mis- 
sionary objects. Another thing I noted that some pastors 
always had good contributions, others almost as uni- 
formly had poor ones, and some generally made no effort 
unless a representative of the Society was with them. 
Some churches under one pastor would give liberally, and 
the same churches under another pastor would give spar- 
ingly or nothing at all. I have seen local and undenomi- 
national objects receiving the largest share under one 
pastor, while in the same church under another pastor 
denominational objects would receive the first attention. 
It was apparent that the benevolence of a church was 
largely under the influence and direction of its pastor. If 
so, how great that pastor's responsibility ! 

Yet there are exceptions. Some pastors have found 
their benevolent plans and effort obstructed by covetous 
brethren. Sometimes leading brethren have visions so 
limited and a spirit so unlike that of Christ that they op- 
pose helping missionary objects outside of their own 
church and immediate vicinity. I know brethren who 
stay at home if a collection for missions is to be taken, 
or a missionary sermon to be preached, whether by a 
secretary, agent, or pastor. I have seen persons leave a 
service on finding that some subject on missions was to 
be presented. But generally I believe a pastor may, by 
wise management and instruction, overcome such ob- 
stacles, and cause such gainsayers to be so far ashamed 
as not seriously to hinder the good work. 



MISSIONARY WORK OF A. B. P. S. 1 63 

It was my custom, if I made any preference between 
churches, to give it to the small churches. The large and 
strong churches with their greater number of leaders and 
helpers could better look after their benevolences, while 
the weak ones needed encouragement and the helping 
hand. I endeavored never to overlook a weak church 
in arranging my visitations. I found it needful to visit 
churches without pastors since, in such cases, benevolent 
collections would be overlooked (there were some laud- 
able exceptions), and to help pastors who felt them- 
selves unequal to the task, or who wished the work pre- 
sented more fully than they could do it themselves. 
Much, however, I found could be done with churches, 
large or small, by correspondence with their pastors, and 
furnishing printed information for study and distribution. 

I generally attended the associations and public gather- 
ings at the Baptist State meetings. I found these very 
helpful to my work in meeting with pastors and delegates 
from the churches, and in getting acquainted with new 
brethren. The addresses I did not account for much. To 
speak for five or ten minutes seemed to me of little value, 
It gave, however, public recognition and approval of 
mission work and its representative. It doubtless helped 
pastors in their benevolent work, and tended to keep 
churches in mind of the same. Privately I did much 
more than I could do by correspondence. Brethren were 
interested, pledges and promises obtained, and plans 
matured for weeks in advance. To me these gatherings 
were very pleasant and profitable. 

These annual gatherings also often gave me oppor- 
tunity for suggesting publicly or privately needed help for 
some Sunday-school or church. Sometimes an incidental 
remark bore fruit in enlisting the interest of some one in 
behalf of a needy cause. I think it was in the spring of 
1889 I visited Newton. I found the Baptist church in 



164 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

trouble and perhaps at the lowest ebb of its history — 
without pastor, prayer-meeting, Sunday-school, or public 
service. Everything seemed demoralized and every one 
discouraged. Two or three days of visiting among the 
people were followed by opening the church on Sunday 
for public services and holding a session of the Sunday- 
school. A short time after, I attended the North New 
Jersey Baptist Association, which met that year at Mor- 
ristown. In a brief address I incidentally referred to the 
condition of that church and suggested that a committee 
be appointed to visit, advise, and help. A young man, 
who was about to change his place of business, heard 
with deep interest. It came to him as a voice of God. 
He visited the place, found a providential opening for 
his line of trade, and saw an opportunity of work for 
Christ. He started business and work in the church at 
the same time. The Lord prospered him in both. The 
church revived in all its departments of labor, and ever 
since has prospered under excellent pastors, and he has 
been a leading merchant in the town. 






XXII 

HIGHTSTOWN AND PEDDIE INSTITUTE 

I HAD for some time thought of changing- my resi- 
dence. I felt that as a general rule it was not best 
for an ex-pastor to continue to reside among his former 
people. My relations, however, with the pastor and peo- 
ple were always pleasant, and aside from my own feel- 
ings, there did not seem to be much reason for making a 
change. Besides, I was generally away from home on 
Sundays, and much of the time during the week, except 
in the inclement season. In my travels through the State 
I gave considerable thought to some new place of resi- 
dence, but nothing of the kind especially appealed to me. 
I continued, therefore, to live very happily in Somerville. 
But in the autumn of 1880 I sent my son to Hights- 
town to attend Peddie Institute. My oldest daughter, 
Carrie, had attended there six years before. I had two 
younger daughters who would soon need to be in such a 
school. I could save expense by going to Hightstown, 
and boarding my children at home. The town was also 
central in the State, and well located for my missionary 
and other work in the service of the Publication Society. 
On the first of April, 1881, we made the change of 
residence. 

This change brought me into closer touch with all the 
educational movements of the Baptist denomination of the 
State. From my student days I had been deeply inter- 
ested in the New Jersey Baptist Education Society, and 
after becoming a pastor I had, with my church, con- 
tributed annually to it. For several years I had been a 

165 



l66 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

member of its Board of Managers. So also, as I have 
already related, I had been interested in Peddie Institute 
from its very inception. But upon coming to Hightstown 
I was chosen one of its corporators, and for many years 
have been on the Board and connected with several of its 
committees. During all this time I have served on the 
Education Committee, and for several years as its chair- 
man. As a consequence I have had much to do in the 
selection of teachers and in arranging the courses of 
study. 

ITS PRINCIPALS 

Prof. E. J. Avery was principal of the Institute when 
I moved to Hightstown. He was a man of good judg- 
ment, and financial ability — the man for the place, just as 
the institute was beginning anew after its great financial 
embarrassment. But he passed away from his earthly 
labors in 1882, beloved and lamented. He had laid a good 
foundation. His estimable wife, Mrs. E. M. Avery, con- 
tinued for several years as matron, which position she 
filled with rare ability. Rev. John Greene was the next 
principal. He laid deep the foundations of scholarship, 
and with good judgment selected his helpers. He taught 
the Greek department and at the same time superintended 
the work of administration. Whatever he did he did well. 
Positive, firm, yet kind, with keen perceptions and quick 
in action, he was an excellent teacher and a good disciplin- 
arian. It was not strange that he was called by his Alma 
Mater, Colgate University, first to be principal of the 
academy, and then professor of Latin in the university. 
Then came Prof. H. E. Slaught, unsurpassed as a teacher 
in mathematics, which department he carried on while 
performing the duties of principal. Nervous and ener- 
getic, faithful and conscientious, enthusiastic, yet con- 
siderate, he taught and governed by the power of his 



HIGHTSTOWN AND PEDDIE INSTITUTE 167 

personality. Teachers and pupils caught something of 
his spirit, which pervaded the atmosphere of the school. 
During his administration the Longstreet Library and 
Scientific Building was erected. After too short a term 
of service he left for Chicago University, where he has 
won fresh laurels as teacher and professor of mathe- 
matics. 

He was followed by Rev. J. E. Perry, a well-rounded 
man and an industrious worker. With high aims, a kind 
heart, and persevering efforts, he united a large amount 
of teaching and administrative work. He won the affec- 
tions of pupils and endeavored to elevate their aims and 
develop character. During his time the fine dining-hall 
was built, which has been greatly admired for its beauty 
and convenience. He left in due time for further study 
at Harvard, whence he was called to return to the pastor- 
ate, for which he was admirably fitted by nature, grace, 
and education. Then came as principal Prof. Roger W. 
Swetland, a born teacher and leader. With a good pres- 
ence and a pronounced personality he was equally good 
in the classroom and in the principal's chair, in devising 
and in executing. He wrought with great energy and 
was successful, not only in building up the school in 
scholarship and numbers/but in deepening the interest of 
its graduates, patrons, and friends, and in winning new 
friends to secondary Christian education. Under his per- 
severing efforts the fine gymnasium was erected, and 
other improvements made. He still remains principal at 
this writing. 

DENOMINATIONAL ACADEMIES 

All of our principals have been good and successful 
men, whose Christian influence has been wrought into 
the lives of the pupils. Our teachers have been Christian 
men and women. The claims of religion, the formation 



l68 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

of Christian character and Christlike lives have been kept 
in view. Hundreds of currents of religious influences 
have gone forth with our students to bless the church and 
the world. Those who have known its internal life know 
how important is the Christian secondary school, and that 
the high school, though excellent, can never fully take its 
place. No denomination can afford to be without its 
Christian school, and least of all the Baptist denomination. 

During my second year's residence in Hightstown, Miss 
Alice W. Vose came to the Institute as preceptress and 
instructor in history and literature, and for twenty-one 
years she filled the position with credit to herself and 
to the great satisfaction of the friends and patrons of the 
school. A fine teacher, a good disciplinarian, and consci- 
entious in the discharge of her duties, with deep religious 
convictions, she was of inestimable value to the school. 
With motherly carefulness and solicitude she watched 
over the girls, and hundreds remember her with gratitude. 

The Board from the beginning has been composed of 
noble Christian men, who spared not time, labor, or 
money for the highest good of the school. In the days 
before it had an endowment they often met with anxious 
hearts to consult over its financial interests. The income 
did not run the school. Two or three thousand dollars 
must be raised to meet expenses or a debt must be in- 
curred. Plans for meeting these expenses would be dis- 
cussed, retrenchments suggested, but nothing exactly 
seemed to meet the case. Then Deacon Thomas Bur- 
rowes, of Keyport, would rise and make an earnest appeal 
and remind us that our help is in God, that if any one 
lacked wisdom he would give it for the asking, and pro- 
pose to go to him in prayer. Who should pray under 
such circumstances but Deacon Burrowes himself? And 
he did pray. From the depths of his heart and our 
hearts did he talk with God and bring our weakness, our 



HIGHTSTOWN AND PEDDIE INSTITUTE 169 

ignorance, and all our wants before him. As he prayed 
we could not but feel that he and we ourselves with him 
were getting the ear of God. When he ceased, a deep si- 
lence ensued for a few moments. Then Thomas Peddie, 
of Newark, or Simon Van Wickle, of New Brunswick, 
would say, " Let us here and now raise the money our- 
selves. I will give five hundred dollars." Hiram Deats, 
William V. Wilson, and others would join, and in a few 
minutes the whole amount would be secured. This was 
of almost yearly recurrence. 

In due time the school had an endowment of one hun- 
dred and seventy thousand dollars, which relieved us 
financially. But times of anxiety still came. They related 
to teachers, methods of instruction, management, disci- 
pline, improvements, the relations to colleges and high 
schools and Christian education. With new conditions, 
extended curriculum, and greater demands for a deeper 
and broader education it was often felt that our endow- 
ment was entirely inadequate. 

For many years I had felt a deep interest in young 
people who were struggling for an education, having 
known what that meant from my own experience. But 
now my connection with the Board of Peddie Institute, 
and my labors for the Publication Society throughout the 
State of New Jersey, made me a connecting link between 
the student and the school. As I look over my early 
years of missionary labor, I feel that one of my greatest 
opportunities for usefulness was in this respect. I was 
often surprised in having young men and young women 
seek my counsel and influence for help. Especially was 
this the case with young men studying for the ministry. 
Some made me the first one to whom they opened the 
desire of their hearts to preach the gospel and prepare 
for the ministry. My interest and sympathies were so 
great that my heart was very responsive. In the south- 



170 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

ern part of the State I was accustomed to recommend 
them to South Jersey Institute, as that was its special 
field. But most of the applicants were in the middle or 
the northern portion of the State. These, for the most 
part, I arranged should go to Peddie Institute. Some 
for the first year were received for a nominal sum, some 
obtained work at the Institute, and some were granted a 
scholarship. They were among our best students, and 
are doing well in the ministry and in professions and 
vocations of life. 



XXIII 

MISSIONARY WORK FOR THE PUBLICATION SOCIETY 
CONTINUED 

I HAVE already referred to visiting weak churches and 
destitute fields. Hampton Junction was one of these, 
a small railroad town, with comparatively few church- 
going people. A little Baptist church, for a few years, 
had lived a struggling life, and now seemed ready to die. 
It was without pastor, Sunday-school, or service of any 
kind. The few members were completely discouraged 
and were proposing to disband, sell the church property, 
and return the money to the original donors. 

I visited among them and preached twice, and then 
arranged with the pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church 
at Pattenburg, six miles distant, to preach to them Sun- 
day afternoons. Soon after, another Baptist family moved 
into town, which gave the little band fresh courage. A 
prayer-meeting was started and a Sunday-school organ- 
ized, the Publication Society donating Bibles, supplies, 
and a library. With these came an increase in congrega- 
tions and in general interest. 

About a year later I obtained for them a pastor, who 
was richly blessed in his labors. Both church and con- 
gregation were greatly strengthened and another church 
was organized in Washington, a neighboring town. 
Other pastors have followed. The house of worship has 
been remodeled and beautified. And although the rail- 
road shops have been removed and it is no longer 
the railroad town it was, and the church has suffered 
in its membership and congregations, yet the various 

171 



172 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

meetings and instrumentalities are maintained and the 
work goes on. 

Another needy field was at Mount Salem, close to the 
New York State line, with a Baptist church in danger 
of becoming extinct. The church had seen better days 
and had exerted a strong influence over that region as a 
country church. But dissensions, removals, and death 
had weakened it, and a spirit of aggressiveness and enter- 
prise seemed entirely wanting. They had no pastor and 
no services of any kind. I preached several times and re- 
organized the Sunday-school, and after a little time ob- 
tained for them a pastor. Years have passed since then ; 
but the church lives, fulfilling its mission in that hilly and 
mountainous region. 

In one case I visited a church, expecting to take a 
collection for the Publication Society. It was a small 
church and a limited field. The pastor had left, and the 
church was owing him over a hundred dollars. Brethren 
were seriously divided as to the time of paying this debt. 
Some said that it must be paid before calling another 
pastor, but others said that they must wait till they had 
their new pastor on the field. The family that entertained 
me was divided on the question. At breakfast, Sunday 
morning, I led the conversation upon the spiritual needs 
of the church and the necessity of pastoral labor and 
oversight, and the great pity that a comparatively small 
debt should stand in the way of securing a pastor. Then, 
turning to the husband I asked him, " How much do 
you wish the debt paid? Do you wish it five dollars' 
worth ? " The wife at once answered, " Yes," and soon 
the husband united with her. Then I said, " Why not 
raise it to-day ? Are there not others who would give the 
same ? " They thought there were. 

So we went early to the church and arranged with 
three or four to raise the amount that very day. I 



WORK FOR PUBLICATION SOCIETY 1 73 

preached on giving, and at the close of my sermon I told 
the people that I came to take a collection for the Publica- 
tion Society, but learning that the church was owing a 
debt that seemed to be hindering their progress, I had 
concluded to try and assist them in raising an amount 
necessary to pay it. A young man was called to the front 
with pencil and paper. I then called for five-dollar sub- 
scriptions. One after another arose, saying they would 
give that amount. Then I called for three-dollar sub- 
scriptions; then for two, and one. A half-hour passed 
and there was a lull. Twenty dollars more was needed. 
I announced that we would now go home to our dinners, 
and in the evening we would raise the remainder. 

The evening came. The house was filled to over- 
flowing. The whole community was out to witness the 
proceeding. After my discourse I proceeded to raise the 
debt, which was quickly done. Praise and thanksgiving 
closed the service. There was, indeed, a union of hearts 
and hands. I suggested a good brother for pastor. He 
was called, and under his first year's ministry the mem- 
bership of the church was doubled. Nor was I a loser. 
For in a few weeks the church sent the largest collection 
they had ever given to the Publication Society. 

During two successive years I gave special attention 
to exploring places in New Jersey where there were no 
Baptist churches. I traveled about six thousand miles 
with my horse and carriage, and visited every part of the 
State. I found very many villages without a Baptist 
church. In some of them there was a sufficient number 
of Baptists to start a mission, and in a large number a 
family or two, without any church home. On entering 
a town I inquired of the postmaster and leading business 
men if they knew of any Baptists living in the vicinity. 
If there were any I sought them out, took their names, 
inquired into their spiritual state, and talked with them 



174 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

about starting a Sunday-school or a mission, where it 
would be possible or advisable. I was everywhere kindly 
received, and often most heartily welcomed. Some had 
been praying for some one to come and give them a help- 
ing hand toward starting an interest. Many far away 
from their own church rejoiced in having a minister of 
their own faith visit their home. 

I devoted a season more especially to the foreign popu- 
lation of the State, and thus came in contact with Ger- 
mans, Swedes, and other nationalities. In this way I 
found at Egg Harbor City a company of German Baptists, 
who were members of the First German Baptist Church 
at Philadelphia. They had a small house of worship in 
which they held meetings and a Sunday-school. One of 
the brethren had conducted the public services. They 
were unknown to the Baptists of the State. The first 
time I visited them was at the time of the Atlantic County 
Fair, which had its grounds there. The fair began the 
latter part of the week and continued over Sunday, which 
was made a great holiday. Egg Harbor was a German 
city, with very few Americans in it. The services of all 
the churches were in German. In the public school 
instruction was divided equally between German and 
English. 

I was greatly surprised on Sunday morning to find 
people everywhere astir, getting ready for the fair. The 
two railroads brought crowds of Germans and others 
from Philadelphia and other places. Carriages, omni- 
buses, and vehicles of various kinds were going and com- 
ing, and many people were seen upon the streets. The 
air was filled with German songs, and many men making 
merry with their friends at their homes over their beer. 
But amid all this hilarity the little company of Baptists 
were out at the morning service, and the Sunday-school 



WORK FOR PUBLICATION SOCIETY 175 

had about the usual attendance. In the afternoon I went 
out with one of the brethren to see the pastors of the 
other churches. I found that the services at the 
Lutheran, Reformed, and Moravian churches had been 
failures, and that the only service or Sunday-school held 
that day in Egg Harbor was at the little Baptist mission. 
I held another service in the evening. 

I reported the facts concerning this mission to the 
Camden Association. A committee was appointed to 
visit it. It was in due time organized into a church and 
became connected with the Association. The church 
grew; English-speaking members were added, holding 
English services half the time and an English Sunday- 
school. It was through the influence of this church that 
the Sunday County Fair was discontinued. 

The native Negro population of New Jersey was 
mostly Methodist in church relation or sentiment. Not 
many years ago there were but three colored Baptist 
churches in the State ; now there are over seventy-five. A 
large majority of Negroes who, in late years have come 
from the South, have been either members of Baptist 
churches, or holding Baptist sentiments. They are deeply 
religious in their nature, and their strong emotions seek 
expression in open and positive expression. They did 
not feel at home in the white churches ; neither were 
they happy and satisfied in uniting their efforts with their 
Methodist brethren. The result has been the organizing 
of many small Baptist churches. They have shown a 
very commendable missionary spirit, and put to shame 
many of their white brethren in their generous giving 
and sacrifices. 

In this formative state the Negro population presented 
a needy missionary field. Many of them were like sheep 
without a shepherd and needed instruction. Pastors and 
leaders needed counsel and guidance. Sunday-schools 



176 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

needed to be organized and helped. Parents and children 
needed to be taught mutual duties and obligations. 

During two or three years I gave special attention to 
this work, visiting churches and Sunday-schools, the 
Afro-American Association of Northern Jersey, the Sea- 
shore Association, and the South Jersey Missionary 
Union, holding institutes and addressing their gather- 
ings for enlarging their work. Whenever possible I de- 
voted Sunday evenings to them, as their largest congre- 
gations assembled at that time. Always and everywhere 
I received a hearty welcome, and found a general readi- 
ness to receive advice. I look back upon none of my 
work with more pleasure than my labors among and in 
behalf of the colored people. 






XXIV 

RESUMING COMMENTARY WORK 

AFTER I removed to Hightstown in 1881, I under- 
took to prepare what I thought would be my last 
work. Years before while at work on " Gospel Har- 
mony " I conceived the idea of a " Harmony of the Acts 
of the Apostles," and also a " Harmony of the Kings of 
Judah and Israel," as related in the Kings and Chronicles. 
I had given some study to the former and some thought to 
the latter. But now, with broken health, and time quite 
full of labor, I could do neither as I would like. To do 
something with the Acts, noting its contact with the Gos- 
pels, the Epistles, and with the Old Testament, seemed 
to me to be a fitting end of my published biblical labors. 
I entered timidly and carefully upon the work. I had 
already gathered some material and had formed a general 
plan of the volume which I styled Harmonic Arrange- 
ment of the Acts of the Apostles. Its preparation in my 
weak, nervous state was one of great labor. Nor was it 
all that I desired. As I sent it to press I felt that this 
was my last literary work. 

Soon after this the Publication Society determined to 
publish " Brief Notes on the New Testament," and the 
secretary, Dr. Benjamin Griffith, asked me to prepare the 
Notes on the Gospels. I consented to do this, and it was 
arranged that I should have half of my time given me until 
I completed the work. I began in July, 1883, and finished 
the work in April, 1884. This was a far easier task 
than the preparation of the " Harmony of the Acts." The 
volume has had a large circulation. 

177 



I78 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

I endured this last labor so well that it inspired me 
with hope that I might do something more in my chosen 
line of exegetical work. As the winter came on and my 
health continued to improve, the conviction of duty grew 
upon me. Almost ten years had passed since the terrible 
breakdown in health, and it seemed that what I was to 
do must be done systematically and quickly. With a full 
heart I wrote to Doctor Griffith and laid the case before 
him, and asked what I should do. His reply was wise 
and favorable. I determined to begin a commentary on 
the Acts, to devote what spare time I had to its study and 
preparation, and leave results to the Lord. 

I had already devoted much attention to the Acts both 
in private study and in the preparation of the Harmonic 
Arrangement. Popularly and practically I had studied 
it in preaching over twenty sermons from it. I now be- 
gan a thorough review of the book in the light of the best 
authorities and of the most recent scholarship, using the 
best critical texts and comparing the latest versions. The 
winter was the principal time for study and writing, 
although I found occasional opportunities at all seasons 
of the year. But at no time did I lose sight of the work. 
My thought and reading were ever in that direction. 

During the five years of its preparation I planned and 
preached a series of sermons, covering the Acts in a 
general way. In addition I preached about twenty-five 
sermons on particular portions of the book which had 
been too lightly passed over in the general series of dis- 
courses. Thus I covered the book practically while study- 
ing it critically. Many of the discussions in the commen- 
tary and very many of the practical remarks did good 
service in these discourses. My volume was ready for 
the press in 1890, and was issued in 1892. 

When nearing the close of my commentary on the 
Acts I came face to face with a like work on the Epistles. 






RESUMING COMMENTARY WORK I79 

I had hoped to complete a commentary on the New Testa- 
ment and had given much study with that end in view. 
But when I began to think of actual work on the Epistle 
to the Romans, I shrank from the task. Having devoted 
so much time to the biographical and historical portions 
of the New Testament, I feared I could not do justice to 
the doctrinal parts. I also saw that, at the rate I was 
progressing in my work, life would be too short to com- 
plete the New Testament in the manner I desired. 

I therefore corresponded with several parties with refer- 
ence to associating them with me in my work. While I 
was doing this, Rev. O. P. Eaches, our pastor at Hights- 
town, made an incidental remark one day that he had 
often thought he would like to prepare a Commentary 
on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Finding that he had 
given much thought to the Epistle, and knowing his fine 
scholarship and ability as a teacher, I said to him : " You 
are the man I have been looking for. I wish you to pre- 
pare a volume on Hebrews, James, and First and Second 
Peter as a part of my commentaries on the New Testa- 
ment." After writing to Dr. B. Griffith, Secretary of 
the Publication Society, and getting his approval, I 
arranged with Doctor Eaches to prepare the aforesaid 
work, which would be the eighth volume of my commen- 
taries. This was in 1893. Later I arranged with Doctor 
Eaches to prepare the ninth, or concluding volume, on 
First, Second, and Third John, Jude, and Revelation. 
In regard to Revelation I had long cherished the desire 
to prepare a practical commentary on a critical basis upon 
that book, but I foresaw that if I lived to do this, it would 
be in the failing portion of my life, when I would prob- 
ably be unequal to the task. I concluded to continue my 
commentary work through Paul's Epistles, concluding 
with that to Philemon, and have Doctor Eaches complete 
the work of the remaining books of the New Testament. 



l80 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

In prosecuting these studies I endeavored to make most 
of fragments of time, whether at home or away. My 
study was always ready for work; grammatical and exe- 
getical helps were at hand ; recent discussions on disputed 
points were within reach. When traveling, my Greek 
Testament and some other helpful work were with me. I 
did much reading in the cars, or while waiting at railroad 
stations. I thus got as clear a view as possible of every 
word, sentence, and paragraph. I strove to put myself 
in the apostle's place, get his course of thought and the 
meaning of his utterance. How near I attained these 
ends I leave others to judge. The writing of the work 
was completed with the closing days of 1895, and I took 
the manuscript to the Publication Society in Philadelphia. 
It was about a month later that fire destroyed the fine 
and commodious building of the American Baptist Pub- 
lication Society, 1420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, in 
the early morning of February 2, 1896. I spent that 
Sunday at Woodstown, New Jersey. Just after I came 
to the station on Monday morning the Philadelphia 
papers were received, and on one I saw in large letters, 
" Great fire ! Baptist Publication House destroyed ! " I 
was startled. What will be the effect of this? How 
much would it embarrass the Society? None could tell. 
I knew, however, that there was large insurance which 
would greatly help. And then the Society had strong 
friends; and the Lord was over all and would not for- 
sake. Then very naturally I thought of my manuscript 
on Romans and Corinthians, and of the more than four 
years I had spent upon it. Could it be that it was burned ? 
The very thought made my heart sink within me. 

A day or so later I wrote to Rev. Philip L. Jones, D. D., 
the book editor of the Society, regarding my manuscript. 
He replied that it was in the vault, perhaps injured some- 
what by heat or by being submerged in water ; and that it 



RESUMING COMMENTARY WORK l8l 

would take several days to clear away the debris, pump 
out the water, and get to the vault. About a week later 
these cheering but laconic lines came from Doctor Jones : 
" Your manuscript on Romans and Corinthians is safe ! 
It was on a shelf, but little injured, and as dry as it was 
on the day that it came from the pen of the writer ! " But 
whether dry or not, its preservation and rescue was to me 
like a voice of divine approval and encouragement. Its 
publication was delayed for a few months. It then passed 
through the press and was published late in 1897, and 
was well received. 

The electrotype plates of all my works were submerged 
in water for several days after the fire. They were not, 
however, seriously injured, and the insurance upon them 
was sufficient to pay for their cartage and cleansing. 
But my books, bound and unbound, were consumed by 
fire, or rendered worthless by water. It seemed, therefore, 
a fitting time to revise my works before any more should 
be printed. This had to be done in the plates, which was 
quite difficult. These revisions were mostly geographical, 
historical, and textual. Indexes were added to Luke and 
John to make them correspond with the other volumes, 
and a brief index to " The Acts." These revised editions 
were issued near the close of 1896. 

In the autumn of 1896 I began the writing of my 
commentary on Galatians to Philemon (inclusive). Sev- 
eral years before this I prepared nine expository dis- 
courses on the Epistle to the Galatians and had preached 
thirty-six sermons on the other Epistles, besides giving 
special study on most of their difficult portions. I now 
began their study anew, critically and systematically, 
noting every word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph. 
The Epistle to the Ephesians was the most difficult. The 
intellectual strength and powerful logic of Paul is at its 
best. He is filled with deep thoughts too great for human 



1 82 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

utterance, perhaps an echo of those unspeakable words 
he heard when caught up into paradise and to the third 
heaven. He gives vent in vehement expressions, broken 
sentences, parenthetic clauses, single words, bristling with 
ideas, thoughts coming forth as from an overflow- 
ing fountain. The Epistle to the Colossians came next 
in difficulty. Galatians was intensely interesting. The 
Thessalonians were stimulating and consoling, Timothy 
and Titus instructive and practical. But Philippians and 
Philemon were the most delightful, giving a view of 
Paul's loving heart and sending beams of sunshine all 
along our way. 

In these Epistles, as well as in Romans and Corinthians, 
I gave special attention to their analysis. I sought to 
present the train of thought in as clear language as pos- 
sible and in such brief compass as to be easily remem- 
bered. To do this cost much thought and labor. Early 
in 1901 I completed the work and sent the manuscript to 
the publishers. On account of various delays it did not 
appear till the spring of 1903. 

The commentary on the rest of the New Testament 
from Hebrews to Revelation inclusive, by my associate, 
Rev. O. P. Eaches, D. D., was now ready to be issued 
in two volumes. Great indeed was my satisfaction and 
joy at the completion of a work to which much of the 
thought and labor of my life had been given. For nearly 
fifty years it had been on my heart and in my prayers. 
My heart overflowed with gratitude to God who had 
spared my life to accomplish a work which I had under- 
taken not for any material personal gain, but for the 
glory of God and the good of his cause. 

It may be asked, Did it pay ? Not financially, as many 
would value labor. Such books sell slowly though often 
through a long period. The royalty is small. Dollars 
and cents never entered into my aims nor formed a 



RESUMING COMMENTARY WORK 183 

motive. A business man was once greatly surprised 
when I stated this. Amusing reports of my financial 
success at various times came to me. Years ago a min- 
istering brother in Camden told my son that I had made 
a fortune from my books. Little did he and others know 
how great the toil, fatigue, and anxieties often, in con- 
parison to the financial returns. It is true the returns 
during the past forty years (1870-1910) amount to a con- 
siderable sum. But as nearly as I can estimate I have 
received less than twenty-five cents an hour for actual 
labor put forth. And this takes no account of the thought 
and anxieties necessarily connected with such a work. I 
certainly would not advise any one to undertake writing 
commentaries as a financial enterprise. 

But when I look at the work on its educative and 
spiritual side, I can say, it has richly paid, it has been 
of untold profit in the increased knowledge of truth ac- 
quired and in the blessed and comforting experiences 
enjoyed. I got my pay day by day as I labored on. I 
was constantly helped in both my private and public 
ministry. Next to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit the 
word of God is his most precious gift to man. " The 
opening of thy word giveth light. Thy word is very 
pure, therefore thy servant loveth it." 



XXV 

SHADOWS 

FIFTY years have passed since I began the public 
preaching of the gospel. It has been a delightful 
vocation. I would not exchange the calling for any 
other on earth. There have been trials, hardships, strug- 
gles, but the joy of the Lord has been my strength. 
Were I to begin life anew, I would choose the same 
work, though with present experience I might avoid 
some mistakes and be more careful of health, and upon 
the whole be more effective in various lines of service. 
I have loved every branch of my work so much that it 
would be difficult to say which I have enjoyed the most. 
Preaching and pastoral labor have been equally my 
delight. Holding evangelistic meetings, visiting the un- 
saved, directing inquirers to Christ, have been an inex- 
pressible joy. Laboring in destitute places, helping the 
weak, preaching to the young, talking to children, reach- 
ing after young men, and especially the boys, each and 
all of these have afforded me great happiness. But 
nothing has given me greater pleasure than the study of 
God's word. Precious have been the hours spent in my 
study — alone with God and his truth — the place has been, 
as it were, the house of God and the gate of heaven. 

Through all my ministerial life I have been much in 
the sunshine. There have been clouds, but they have 
been rifted, the broken openings letting in light from the 
Sun of righteousness. And the shadows have not been 
altogether dark. On the one hand sickness, laid aside 
from active labor, and for more than three years unable 
184 




REV. AND MRS. G. W. CLARK 
AFTER FIFTY YEARS 
SEPTEMBER 6, I905 



SHADOWS 185 

to preach; but on the other hand, not forsaken, hopeful, 
blessed experiences, rejoicing in the God of my salvation 
and songs in the night. 

The darkest shadows have been in the loss of children, 
and the passing of the one who for more than fifty years 
walked by my side, sharing my toils, participating in my 
joys, always hopeful and helpful with an unfaltering 
faith in God. But even with these have come gleams of 
a glorious immortality. I have already related how 
Sara Ella was taken away in infancy at Elizabeth, 
September 5, 1862. After this, for more than thirty-six 
years our family circle remained unbroken. But on 
November 5, 1898, our youngest, Lillie Bersha, passed 
away in the twenty-eighth year of her age, after a long 
and painful illness, the result of a complication of dis- 
eases following typhoid fever. She had a comprehensive 
mind, good judgment, and much executive ability. 

The Hightstown " Gazette," in its next issue, said : 

In the death of Miss Clark our community has lost one of its 
brightest minds. Her life was brief, but it was a full one in 
noble purposes and deeds. 

Eighteen years ago she eame to this town with her parents, 
and entered the primary department of Peddie Institute. Pur- 
suing the full course of study, she laid the foundation of fine 
scholarship, and graduated in 1888 at the head of her class. 
After teaching a year in the preparatory department of the 
Institute, in 1889 she entered Vassar College. There she pursued 
successfully the classical and scientific courses, graduating with 
the highest honors in 1893. As a recognition of her excellence 
in science, she received an appointment to a scholarship at the 
laboratory of Wood's Hole on the Massachusetts coast, where, 
in the summer of 1893, she pursued advanced studies in biology. 

Then a year was spent at home, during which she engaged 
in various kinds of church and Sunday-school work and teach- 
ing, especially in taking the place of Professor Gayman, teacher 
of science in Peddie Institute, during his visit to Europe in 
the spring and summer of 1894. In the autumn of that year she 
accepted the position of teacher of science in the High School 



l86 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

at Bloomfield, New Jersey. There she remained three years, 
endearing herself to her pupils and giving great satisfaction to 
the Board of Education. In the summer of 1897 she was 
chosen principal of the school at Narberth, Pennsylvania, and 
entered upon the duties of the office on the first of September. 
The school at once felt the influence of her administrative 
and organizing ability. New and improved methods were intro- 
duced; teachers and pupils were filled with enthusiasm; and 
advancement was made in all lines. 

In the early autumn of 1882 Miss Clark was baptized by her 
father, on profession of faith, and united with the Baptist 
church of this place. She was active in Christian work. One 
year she gathered together and taught a large Bible class, and 
was president of the Farther Lights Missionary Society. What- 
ever she touched she imparted to it an inspiration. Temperance 
work and young people's societies engaged her attention. 

In the year 1897 she removed her membership to the Baptist 
church at Narberth, where she did her best and the crowning 
work of her life. Hopeful, joyous, and active, she threw her- 
self into religious work as it came to hand. She was president 
of the King's Daughters, wrought in the Sunday-school, helped 
in prayer-meetings, and interested herself in helping others 
personally. Had she known that it was her last year, she 
could not have worked more faithfully. It was, indeed, a beau- 
tiful ending of a short, earnest, consecrated life. 

From the first her disease was complicated, and threatened 
a fatal termination. It baffled the best efforts of medical science. 
But through it all she was patient in great suffering, hopeful, 
and thoughtful of others. Ready to stay or go, she was ever 
cheery, and lent a charm to her sick-room. In the past she 
had tried to be faithful, and life was nothing to her unless 
she lived it for a purpose. Her mind was strong and clear to 
the end. Soon after she was taken sick, she repeated those 
beautiful lines of Victor Hugo, so expressive of her own hopeful 
and joyous faith, and prophetic too of now continuing her work 
in a higher and heavenly sphere : 

Be like a bird, 

That, pausing in her flight, 

Awhile on boughs too slight, 

Feels all beneath her feet give way yet sings, 

Knowing that she hath wings. 



SHADOWS 187 

The following was found among her papers after her 
decease : 

" The Hightstown Baptist Church, with its pastor, are 
foremost in the influences which have moulded and 
developed my spiritual life, and I thank God for them 
and pray that my future life may be worthy of them. 

" Lillie B. Clark/' 

The following appreciative words came from her 
brother, G. Fish Clark, M. D., of Brooklyn, New York, 
upon hearing of her death: 

" Lillie's life I should love to emulate, the purity of 
her soul I would long to possess. 

" A noble character in a frail and overworked body. 
Her conscience was acute, her intellect bright, her judg- 
ment usually correct, her intentions always good, and 
above all her devotion to God and her Saviour un- 
bounded. . . The only tangible part that is left of Lillie 
is the undying influence which she has impressed in- 
delibly upon the minds and hearts of her pupils and com- 
panions. A full life is not measured by the length of 
years, but by the amount accomplished. Certainly no 
life could be filled to overflowing with good deeds and 
energy to a greater extent than that of our beloved 
Lillie." 

In the midst of our great sorrow I could but thank 
God that for twenty-seven years we had had such a 
daughter with us. He had lent her to us, and now we but 
returned her to him. " The Lord gave, and the Lord 
hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." 

Hardly two years had passed and our oldest, Mrs. 
Carrie Louise Hatt, was taken. She died at Albany, 
September 13, 1900, forty-three years of age. She was 



l88 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

born at New Market, New Jersey, August 20, 1857. 
Early in life she professed conversion, and was baptized, 
May, 1872, by her father at Ballston Spa, where he was 
pastor of the Baptist church. Removing to Somer- 
ville, New Jersey, she attended the Classical Institute of 
that place, and afterward Peddie Institute, being con- 
nected with the class of 1875. Later she graduated from 
Dean's College, Binghamton, New York. In 1881 she 
came with her parents to Hightstown, and for two years 
was teacher of music in Peddie Institute and organist 
of the Baptist church. On September 17, 1894, she was 
married to George J. Hatt, a merchant of Albany, New 
York. 

Mrs. Hatt was a devoted member of the Immanuel 
Church in Albany for sixteen years. She was a woman 
of varied accomplishments, of sincere devotion to the 
church, and of strong religious convictions. She left a 
young son, Harold, but two weeks old. Her husband 
and parents received the sincere sympathy of a wide 
circle of friends. 

The following characteristic letter from our son, Dr. 
George Fish Clark, of Brooklyn, N. Y., explains itself: 

My dear Mother: Your letter announcing the passing away 
of sister Carrie came this morning. This comes as a sad ending 
to what otherwise might have been the beginning of a most 
happy period in the life of both herself and brother George. 

It is with much difficulty that I express my feelings on this 
matter. . . Carrie undoubtedly lives to-day, and is relieved of 
all these cares. She can look back and see how little all of 
us sometimes worry about, and what an infinitesimal period of 
eternity the longest life occupies. She has crossed that river 
toward which all of us are approaching, and which many dread. 
The struggle of that soul to disentangle itself from the limita- 
tions of the body was indeed severe and painful, but it is 
over now, and only the body suffered, the spirit soars above. 

Do not, my dear mother, be cast down in spirit. Let the 
faith which to you is knowledge which you taught to us as 




G. FISH CLARK, A. B., M. D. 
BEETHA R. CLARK 



MRS. G. J. HATT 
(CARRIE LOUISE CLARK) 

LILLIE CLARK 



SHADOWS 159 

children, bear you over this sad bereavement, and may you feel 
that God knows best, and that Carrie now enjoys a better, 
nobler life. . . 

Why our religion? Why our faith? Why is life worth living? 
Why mourn the dead? Trust, we say, I believe, in heaven. Why 
should we individually proclaim, I believe in God, in Christ who 
came to save the sinner, in the resurrection, in a life everlasting, 
in so glorious a place as paradise, and then when one of us 
goes to live in this other and better environment we smite our 
breasts and bemoan another's misfortune? No; I cannot for a 
moment believe that we should. 

Think of the millions upon millions of other mothers and 
fathers and brothers and sisters, from the time when the land 
first pushed itself above the surface of the ocean until the 
present time, who have mourned the loss of their loved ones. 
The city of the dead is far more populous than the city of 
the living, and the number of its inhabitants is rapidly and daily 
increasing. 

It is given to no mortal to live in this present sphere for- 
ever. Everything about us, material, fades and disintegrates 
into dust. It has ever been thus, and as long as the world lasts 
it will ever remain the same. It remains, however, for us, 
poor sinners as we are, to go on in our daily work, and to 
continue to work out in fulness our destiny. May God grant 
to us who remain of the family, strength to look upon this 
matter in the right light. 

It was over ten years after this that my beloved 
wife, Mrs. Clark, entered into the " better country — 
that is, a heavenly." Suffering from a cold which was 
not regarded dangerous, she passed away, .apparently 
without pain and without a struggle, from heart failure, 
at twenty minutes to eleven in the evening, February 
7, 191 1. To the very last day she was planning church 
and missionary work; but she left these for a more 
glorious work in a higher sphere. She was beautiful in 
death. Her countenance beamed as if faith was giving 
way to sight, and she had caught a glimpse of coming- 
glory. 



190 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

Soon after at the monthly meeting of the Woman's 
Missionary Society of the Hightstown Baptist Church, a 
committee, through Mrs. R. W. S wetland, reported as 
follows : 

We note with sorrow the vacant chair of our loved president, 
Mrs. George W. Clark. For twenty-eight years the presiding 
officer of our society, she gave to the work of Christian missions 
a wealth of intelligent administration, earnest devotion, and self- 
sacrificing faithfulness rarely seen. 

By her gentle womanhood and her sweet Christian virtue she 
won the hearts of her associates, while her unfailing interest 
in the cause she served was a constant example and stimulus 
to others. 

Cheerful in adversity, resigned under afflictions, undaunted 
before difficulties, outspoken against wrong, yet tactful and 
sympathetic in spirit, she was loved, honored, and respected 
by us all as a sister in Christ, a " mother in Israel." Like Dorcas 
of the early church, she was full of good works and almsdeeds 
which she did. We miss her here. We bear this testimony 
to her goodness ; we shall meet her in a better land. 

Later still, a Thursday evening was set apart at the 
Baptist church for a memorial service. Mrs. Clark had 
been a member of the church for thirty years and presi- 
dent of the Woman's Missionary Society for twenty- 
eight years. A sketch of her early life was prepared by 
Dr. G. W. Clark and read by Mrs. Sarah P. Botzong. 
She was born among the hills of Vermont, the daughter 
of Rev. Samuel Fish, who served the Baptist church at 
Halifax for fifty years. Trained in good schools she 
became a teacher first in Vermont and then in Newark, 
New Jersey. Mrs. M. M. Job read a paper speaking of 
her interest in all forms of missionary work, her un- 
wearied faithfulness in the work. Mrs. W. N. Cunning- 
ham spoke of her interest in all kinds of church work, in 
the Ladies' Aid Society, and in everything that would 
help the church in any way. Mrs. O. P. Eaches spoke of 



SHADOWS 191 

her larger work in connection with the Trenton Associ- 
ation, of which for years she was vice-president. It was 
a delight to work with her, she was helpful and appreci- 
ative. Mrs. R. H. Rivenburg spoke of her as a friend 
and neighbor. She was thoughtful and helpful, having 
a Good Samaritan spirit. Mrs. Botzong, the recently 
elected president of the society, spoke of the intelligent 
knowledge that Mrs. Clark had of the missionary work. 
The pastor spoke of her as a church-member. She was 
faithful in all ways, in attendance at worship, at prayer- 
meeting, leading in missionary effort, hopeful and help- 
ful. She presented a well-balanced life, devout, consci- 
entious, intelligent, liberal, earnest, happy in service. 
Wherever she is to-day, she cannot be kept from enjoy- 
ing worship and work. 

Here I rest my pen. I have written more than I 
expected when I began. And how came I to write 
what I have? At the earnest and repeated request of 
my children. They wished me to note down some inci- 
dents of my early years, some of the struggles in getting 
an education, some experiences in pastoral and mission- 
ary life, and something about my commentary work. 
I was loth to do this, and even when assenting, slow to 
begin. 

At length my daughter Bertha urgently renewed the 
request, offering to do the writing if I would do the 
dictating, or furnish the material. I yielded, and so 
these sketches and reminiscences began. But her health, 
which had been undermined by overwork, did not permit 
her to continue, and I carried on her work. 



Doctor Clark's pen was laid down abruptly. Undoubt- 
edly his own translation to the better land came to him 
unexpectedly, or he would have added some closing 



192 STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LONG LIFE 

words. But little more was needed to carry home or 
deepen the impressions of his useful life. And it was 
useful to an eminent degree. It was one of those quiet, 
unobtrusive lives, of which the world makes little record, 
but of which it is full, that count service above profit 
and carry ministry and uplift to all with whom they 
come in contact. No one can rise from the perusal of 
this chronicle without feeling that to the author and sub- 
ject of it have come with special emphasis from the 
Master whom he so loved and served : " Well done, good 
and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy 
Lord." [Ed.] 



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